Overview
- After four days of jury selection, lawyers delivered opening statements Thursday in Palm Beach County court.
- Prosecutors describe the stabbing as random and premeditated and highlight DNA on the victim’s nail clippings and headphones, plus a bloodied bandana found in Semmie Williams Jr.’s backpack.
- The defense says Williams came upon an unconscious person near an I‑95 overpass in the dark and left without realizing the victim was a child.
- Ryan Rogers’ mother briefly testified about the night her 14-year-old son did not return home from a bike ride.
- Williams withdrew an insanity plea before trial, was deemed competent to stand trial, and faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.