A man convicted Tuesday of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a pregnant woman during a fight outside Philadelphia Traffic Court last year.
Walter Williams was convicted by Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Minehart following a nonjury trial in the February 2011 death of 21-year-old Tovoyia Owens, who was three months pregnant at the time.
Authorities said a long-simmering dispute between the two preceded the fight. Williams is to be sentenced July 31.
His brother, 30-year-old Robert Canda, pleaded guilty to simple assault in the melee and was placed on probation for one year.
Assistant District Attorney Brendan O'Malley told the Philadelphia Daily News that he was pleased with the verdict, which he called “some measure of justice” for the victim.
Owens, a mother to a 4-year-old girl, was leaving the courthouse at 800 Spring Garden St. on Monday, Feb. 7, when they had some sort of altercation with a group of men just before 2 p.m., sources said.
Witnesses said that about five men attacked Owens in front of the courthouse.
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"We saw all these guys, like, beating this girl," said one witness, David Cole. "And she was pregnant, and like, no one tried to help."
During the fight, one of the men allegedly struck Owens in the head. She fell to the ground, possibly hitting her head against the pavement, police said.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma.
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