Final defendant sentenced in Christmas Eve carjacking, murder

Anthony Tolson was 33

DETROIT – The final sentence was handed down Wednesday in the Christmas Eve carjacking and murder of a local musician and father.

Devan Williams, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearms violations Aug. 4. Williams was sentenced Wednesday to 11 to 40 years for second-degree murder. He also was sentenced to an additional two years in prison for a gun charge.

Charles Cox, 33, and Darnell Gene-Arthur Young, 19, carjacked and murdered Anthony Tolson, a Detroit bassist and father of three, on Christmas Eve. Tolson was 33. Williams drove Cox and Young that night.

Cox was found guilty of first-degree murder, felony murder, carjacking, armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and felony firearms violations. He was sentenced to over 100 years in prison.

READ: Detroit man sentenced in Christmas Eve carjacking, murder of local musician

Young pleaded guilty in June to second-degree murder and felony firearms. He was sentenced to 33 to 60 years in prison on the murder conviction and two years for the felony firearms conviction.

READ: Man sentenced in Christmas Eve murder of Detroit musician

Tolson was shot and killed when he was carjacked on Gratiot Avenue after performing at a church service on Christmas Eve. He was driving to his mother's house where his three children, ages 7, 13, and 14, were waiting for him. His mother, Allison Tolson, was greeted by Detroit police at 7 a.m. Christmas Day.

Mother speaks at sentencing; Williams expresses remorse 

A number of family members spoke at the sentencing of Cox, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

Anthony Tolson's mother spoke at the sentencing hearings for all three defendants. She was the only family member to speak at the last sentencing.

“Eight months ago on this very date, on Dec. 24, 246 days ago, my son became homicide victim No. 291 of 2015,” Tolson said. “Please do not say to me or my family or my friends that you are sorry because I don’t want to hear it.”

“My son is gone forever,” Tolson said. “My children are heartbroken. I am heartbroken. I am weary. I am tired. I am totally disgusted and I have nothing else to say.”

Williams told the judge there was nothing he could say to bring Anthony Tolson back to his mother and spoke highly of the musician who traveled the world playing bass guitar.

“He was somebody that made it out of Detroit, you know, one of our own who made it out of the city and did something,” Williams said. “I ain’t going to say sorry because she don’t want to hear sorry, but if she believes it or not, I am sorry.”

“I never drove them there with intentions for them to kill that man over a truck," Williams said.

Williams was sentenced to 13 years in prison.


About the Authors:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.