Colton Matthews, 29, of Bossier City was sentenced to 28 years at hard labor for
killing Joe Williams at the Cash in a Flash Pawn Shop. Matthews was found guilty of
Manslaughter on October 30, 2025, and faced up to 40 years in prison. Following a pre
sentence investigation, Judge Charles Smith sentenced Matthews to 28 years for the
killing of Williams.
At trial, jurors heard testimony that Mr. Williams went to the Cash in a Flash
pawn shop to return a watermelon on July 24, 2020, and was followed out of the store
by Colton Matthews. Matthews began yelling at Mr. Williams while he was attempting to
get in his vehicle and leave the store. Jurors heard testimony that a co-worker told
Matthews to come back in the store and that it wasn’t worth it. Instead, Colton Matthews
shot and killed Joe Williams.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chance Nerren. “Chance
Nerren did an outstanding job presenting this case. The Bossier City Police Department
delivered a solid investigation to our office and worked with us all throughout the
process to make sure that Mr. Williams and his family got justice,” noted
Bossier/Webster District Attorney Schuyler Marvin. “Joe Williams and his friends and
family deserved justice for this act of senseless violence.” Marvin continued. Matthews
was defended by Sarah Giglio and Katherine Gilmer.