Detroit Radio: Convicted Felon Held In Stabbing Death of WWJ Anchor

Arthur Williamson

A convicted felon with a 30-year criminal history was arraigned Monday in connection with the fatal stabbing late last week of WWJ 950 AM news anchor anchor Jim Matthews and attacks on three other family members, but The Detroit News reports officials say the motive remained unclear.

Arthur Levan Williamson, 55, on Pontiac was charged with seven felony charges in New Baltimore's 42-2 District Court, including first-degree murder, felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and three counts of unlawful imprisonment. He's being held without bond at Macomb County Jail.

Williamson is accused of fatally stabbing Matthews, 57, in an attack on Friday at a Chesterfield Township home that injured three others, including the radio anchor's 10-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter and the 35-year-old mother of the kids. A media advisory from Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido called it a "hammer attack."

WWJ's Jim Matthews

Macomb County Assistant Public Defender Adrian Cranford represented Williamson during the arraignment where the judge did not read off the charges and denied several attempts by Cranford to bring up the topic of bond. Cranford had no further comment after the arraignment.

Chesterfield Township Police Chief Brian Bassett said at a Monday afternoon press conference that police are still trying to figure out the relationship between Williamson and the victims. Matthews' older brother Joe Nicolai, who lives next door to Matthew, said Monday he thinks he's seen Williamson around a few times.

Lucido said there were no signs of breaking and entering and there is evidence to show the suspect was not an "unwanted guest."

Authorities are still trying to establish a timeline. Bassett said Williamson arrived sometime in the middle of the night and Matthews arrived home around 6 a.m. The timeline between then and noon when police were called is still unknown.

Police were called to the Hidden Harbor Condominiums at about noon Friday after a woman escaped the home with her 5-year-old daughter. The woman's son, 10, was found tied up in a closet with severe injuries from blunt force trauma. Matthews was found dead.