MONCKS CORNER, SC (CNN/WCIV) -- A jury in South Carolina convicted a father of brutally murdering his two-year-old son then putting the child's body in a garbage bin and filling it with concrete. Roger Williams was found guilty of homicide by child abuse.
It wasn't long after those closing remarks from the prosecution that the jury soon began deciding the fate of Roger Williams, the man accused of murdering his own flesh and blood. In just half an hour, the jury came back with a guilty verdict.
Williams still maintains he is innocent, saying he may have helped get rid of his son's body, but he did so to protect his girlfriend, Grace Trotman. He says she is the real killer. He says, "I want everybody to know my intentions was never meant to be cruel nor meant to be evil."
In court, Williams said he was also sorry. He says, "Your honor, I want to apologize to Nikki, her family and their friends."
Assistant Solicitor Debbie Herring-Lash says, "He never mentioned his child's name. When he apologized to friends, everybody never to Rodricus."
For others like, like Connie Huger, who helped raise little Rodricus Williams, the apology was too little, too late. She says, "I accept his apology, but we can't turn back the hand of time. He did not deserve the beatings and the mistreatments that he got from that household."
Clearly, a tough case to hear. Loved ones on both sides say they're relieved the jury delivered justice for a helpless child. Assistant Solicitor Anne Williams says, "I've never seen a victim treated this way before and just the lack of emotion a parent could show a victim like this was overwhelming."
Huger says, "He'll never be able to see the outside of any place ever again. We're greatly appreciative of that."
Williams was sentenced to life in prison without parole. His attorneys say they may appeal the conviction.