Providence Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Manslaughter

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man is facing 20 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. On Monday, James Stevens, 31, was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 20 to serve. Stevens was found guilty of manslaughter in Providence Superior Court on April 9 for the stabbing death of Jasper Williams.

On December 10, 2016, an argument between Stevens, his ex-girlfriend and Williams outside of the woman's East Providence home became deadly when Stevens pulled out a knife and stabbed Williams 18 times. Williams was rushed to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Stevens ran away that night, escaping to El Paso, Texas, where he was later arrested.

The victim's mother, Alecia, told WJAR that she is working hard to forgive Stevens for killing her son.

"I say to myself daily, 'I must forgive him for taking my son's life,'" Williams' mother, Alecia, said of Stevens. "I believe that this has taught him a life lesson, that this will change his life, hopefully. I pray that he leads to God and leads to Christ and ultimately he forgives himself as much as I forgive him."

On Monday, Stevens was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 20 to serve at the Adult Correctional Facility and the rest suspended with probation.