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Last updated on Friday, March 9, 2012
(WASHINGTON) - A jury found Derek Williams guilty of murdering his wife Kim. Daviess County Superior Court Judge Dean Sobecki set sentencing for 9 a.m., April 9. (Times-Herald)
It took the jury a little over an hour to reach a verdict. Police say Williams shot Kimberly, Feb. 4, 2011. Police say Williams was upset because Kim had filed for divorce.
Dr. James Jacobi, a forensic pathologist who conducted Kim's autopsy, explained autopsy photos to the jury. He told them Kim suffered four gunshot wounds.
Based on his autopsy observations, Jacobi concluded the first bullet went through Kim's upheld forearm and into her upper lip, close to the nose, and continued into her brain. He said that shot would've killed her immediately.
"After the first bullet, there would've been no movement, no threat," he said. "The damage to the brain was very significant."
That shot, he estimated, was fired from more than a foot away. The second shot, which traveled almost the same path into the brain, he said, was fired from less than a foot away.
"The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the upper lip, which resulted in the bullet passing through the brain," Jacobi said.
Under further questioning, Jacobi said there's no chance it was suicide or an accident. He said it would take two intentional acts, and Kim would've been unable to fire the second shot.
"The first wound would be fatal," he stressed. "She'd be unconscious."
Prosecutor Dan Murrie asked Jacobi his opinion on why the second shot was fired
"Due to the nature of the injuries, I'd have to say the second shot was to make sure she was finished," he said.
Kevin Chase of Bedford, with whom Derek worked with at Tri Star Engineering, a defense contractor, testified he was with Derek in Hawaii when Derek learned Kim had filed for divorce.
According to Chase, Derek was angry about losing material items in the divorce. Because Chase had been through a divorce, Derek asked him for a reference. That reference happened to be Kim's attorney.
Chase testified that on the day Kim was killed Derek had told him it would be easier to kill the bitch. Chase was shocked when he heard the news that Kim was dead. Chase testified that he felt bad because he should've said or done something, but he didn't think Derek was serious.
Scott Greenan of Springville, who works at Crane and was Derek's immediate supervisor, also testified that Derek was upset about the divorce. He said Derek seemed most upset about losing part of his retirement. Greenan said they discussed it several times in the three days prior to the shooting.
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