Prosecutors to seek death penalty for man charged in death of 3-year-old

TYLER – Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman will seek the death penalty for one of two people charged in the death of a 3-year-old girl last year, according to recently filed court documents. 40-year-old Manuel Williams is charged with capital murder for the death of Kodie Williams, found unresponsive in her Tyler home. Police found that she “had numerous bruises to the face,” according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 31-year-old Courtnie Williams is also charged with capital murder, but Putman wrote that the state would not be seeking the death penalty for her.