BEDFORD – During Adam Toru Machida’s initial hearing in Lawrence County Superior Court I, presided over by Judge John Plummer III, the courthouse was filled with emotional family members and loved ones of both Machida and Boggs.
Machida, 34, was arrested on felony charges following the shooting death of William ‘Matthias’ Boggs at a residence on 711 I Street in Bedford. Machida faces charges of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.
Bedford Police Officers discovered Boggs lying in a bathtub with a gunshot wound to his temple, covered with a towel in Machida’s home. Emergency medical services were called, but Boggs was pronounced dead at the scene.
Judge Plummer meticulously outlined the charges and potential sentences Machida could face if found guilty:
- Murder: 45 to 55 years
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent offender: 2 to 12 years (Machida prior conviction for armed robbery)
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon: 6 months to 2 years
“Right now, you are cloaked with the presumption of innocence. You understand that,” Judge Plummer asked.
Judge Plummer entered pleas of not guilty on Machida’s behalf. Given the severity of the crime, he appointed the Lawrence County Public Defenders Office as Machida’s legal counsel and issued a protective order preventing Machida from contacting Courtney Blackwell, who was involved in the incident.
According to police reports, Machida admitted to firing shots through the bathroom door, aware that he was targeting Boggs. He claimed he could have killed Blackwell but chose to shoot to the side of her, striking Boggs instead. Machida told police he wasn’t sure how many shots were fired but knew he had hit Boggs when he heard him fall.
After the shooting, Machida reportedly fled the scene in his SUV, driving down State Road 58 and through county roads before being apprehended on US 50 while heading toward Brownstown.
Machida is currently being held without bond.
