Anthony Williams, 40, was killed at work shortly before 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, after a workplace dispute at Peerless Metal Co. in Detroit escalated to extreme violence. Coworkers witnessed a 30-year-old employee chase Williams through the plant and attack him with a 38-inch samurai sword, leaving Williams nearly decapitated on the shop floor. Police found the suspect about 20 feet away, calmly sitting, smoking and drinking, with his clothes splattered in blood; he was arrested at the scene and later charged in Williams’ death.

The altercation reportedly followed months of alleged bullying between the men. Defense attorneys later said the defendant was schizophrenic and obsessed with fantasy role-playing games and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, describing the killing as an acted-out fantasy.