Family of slain California teen 'terrified' killer has been released into neighborhood under justice reform
Fox News
Ongoing appeals to 29-year-old Jae Williams' conviction allowed a new California law to apply to him, facilitating his early release for a murder he committed at 15 years old.
Christina Coulter is a U.S. and World reporter for Fox News Digital. Email story tips to christina.coulter@fox.com.
Williams, then 15, and coconspirator Randy Thompson, 16, lured Russell to his own backyard under the guise of smoking marijuana in 2009 and took turns stabbing him to death, per court documents.
Local media dubbed the tragedy a "thrill killing" because Williams and Thompson wanted to experience what it felt like to kill someone, per NBC Bay Area. Both teens were initially convicted on murder charges.
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