Nickolis Williams. Photo via MCSAO.
A Wheaton man has pleaded guilty to murder following a deadly fight in downtown Silver Spring in 2021.
Nickolis Williams, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday for the death of 29-year-old Darcel Cole, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
Williams faces up to 30 years in prison under a plea agreement, according to MCSAO, and sentencing is scheduled for May 30.
According to a statement of facts from the state, in Dec. 2021, Cole and friends were at Odalis Restaurant on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Williams arrived at the restaurant at some point and the two got into an argument. They both agreed to go outside to fight, according to the statement of facts.
The two began fighting at about 2:35 a.m., according to a statement of charges, citing video surveillance. At about 2:37 a.m. Cole fell to the ground and Williams continued to strike him while standing over him. Williams walked away while Cole remained on the ground, then returned and stomped Cole several times. Per the statement of charges, video surveillance does not show Cole getting up from the time he first fell to the ground, and Williams walked away and returned to him five more times.
At about 3 a.m., police and fire rescue responded to an assault in the alley between Thayer and Silver Spring avenues, and located Cole, according to the statement of charges.
Cole died in the hospital nearly ten months later from injuries, according to MCSAO.
