Man gets 50 years jail for attempting to steal $35 worth of meat

Willie Smith Ward, 43, tried to steal a package of meat from the H-E-B grocery store in Waco, Texas.

An employee of the store, who suspected Ward of stealing, confronted and asked him what he had under his
clothes. Ward allegedly told the employee that it was a knife, before the ribs fell out from under his shirt.

The harsh sentence was handed down last week. Ward’s long criminal history probably affected the decision of the jury. His criminal record includes robbery, attempted robbery, and possession of cocaine, among others. The jury took two minutes to convict Ward and about an hour to determine his sentence.

“This verdict shows that the citizens of this country will not tolerate continued disrespect and disregard for other people, as well as their property,” Assistant District Attorney J.R. Vicha said.