Man re-sentenced in DeKalb County after law changes

DECATUR, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A man convicted of a crime nearly 20 years ago is getting a second chance at life.

Christopher Williams appeared before a DeKalb County judge Thursday to be re-sentenced for a crime he was convicted of in 2000.

Back in 1999, Williams acted as an unarmed lookout for the robbery of a liquor store. He already had one previous conviction as a teenager.

Because of the law at the time, Williams was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. But now, the law has changed and so has Williams' sentence.

In court, he spoke about his plans once he's released.

Williams re-entered a guilty plea Thursday in court. He was sentenced to 20 years, with 19 to serve -- with credit for time served.

Williams has already served 19 years and three months, with an exemplary prison record, according to the district attorney’s office.