Prom night slayings lead to life terms for suburban Philadelphia man

BRISTOL — A man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without possibility of parole in the murders of two men during a prom night altercation last spring in suburban Philadelphia.

Nineteen-year-old Joseph Williams was convicted of killing Zyisean McDuffy and Tommy Ballard, both 19, during an argument in front of a mutual friend’s Bristol Township home in May 2018.

Authorities in Bucks County said the slayings, which came as some teenagers were heading to the local high school’s prom, stemmed from tensions between two rival neighborhood groups. Williams was also convicted of attempted homicide and evidence-tampering.

Defense attorney John Fioravanti Jr., before Friday’s sentencing, cited his client’s age, saying there were many years in which he could become a better person, and also pointed to support from the defendant’s family.