A suspect with a lengthy criminal history was charged this week in connection with the murder of a radio news broadcaster in Michigan.
Arthur Williamson, 55, was on parole for felony criminal charges when he allegedly killed Jim Matthews, 57, at his Chesterfield Township home earlier this month.
Matthews and Williamson were said to have known each other well before the murder took place. According to police, Matthews was found suffering from stab wounds in the closet of his home. He died from the injuries.
A boy, believed to be Matthews’ son, was found tied up in a closet. The boy was hospitalized with severe, blunt-force injuries. Two others — a woman described as Matthews’ girlfriend and a girl who is believed to be his daughter — were also hospitalized with injuries sustained in the attack.
This week, Williamson was charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and three counts of unlawful imprisonment.
Police still have no motive for the attack, but say Williamson is also a suspect in an attack against Matthews’ older brother, who was beaten with a hammer. At the time of the incident, Williamson was on active parole for separate aggravated assault and trespassing crimes.
News of Matthews’ death stunned his colleagues at WWJ (950 AM), the radio station where he worked as a newsreader. In a statement, a spokesperson for the station called Matthews a “consummate professional” who was “dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry.”
