A Motorist Ran Out Of Gas In Front Of His House. Instead Of Helping, The Homeowner Killed The Stranded Man.

An Alabama man killed a motorist who ran out of gas in front of his house. Now, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Jimmy Pool handed Willie Addison III, 42, a life term in prison for the beating death of Broderick Shields. Addison was found guilty and convicted by a jury of manslaughter.

“Willie Addison could have helped Mr. Shields or given him a chance to seek assistance. Now, a family has an unfillable void in their hearts because of Willie Addison’s illogical reaction to someone running out of gas in front of his house. I hope Mr. Shields’ loved ones take some comfort in knowing this habitual criminal offender is off our streets for good and will never again have an opportunity to harm another one of our citizens,” said District Attorney Daryl Bailey, according to Alabama News.

On Jan. 15, 2017, officers responded to the 500 Block of 5th Street after a report of an assault. When they arrived, officers found Shields had sustained life-threatening injuries to his head.

He was rushed to Jackson Hospital, where he died 15 days later.

On the day of the incident, the 64-year-old Shields had been driving his car through the defendant’s neighborhood when his car ran out of gas in front of the Addison’s house. Aggravated, Addison retrieved a landscaping brick and hit the victim on the head and face because he was unable to move the car away from his property.

Investigators found video footage that captured the incident, corroborating several eyewitness testimonies. Addison was immediately arrested and charged with first-degree assault. Later, when Shields died, the charge was upgraded to a murder.

The jury opted to convict the defendant on manslaughter charges instead. However, due to Addison’s extensive criminal record and prior convictions, Pool sentenced him to life in prison.

“Extreme actions often result in extreme consequences and this sentencing should be a wake-up call to those in our City who choose to behave recklessly,” said Bailey, according to Montgomery Adviser.