KAUFMAN, Texas — A Kaufman County jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before returning a life sentence for a Kemp, Texas, man who they earlier found guilty in the murder of his common-law wife stemming from a domestic dispute.
KAUFMAN, Texas — A Kaufman County jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before returning a life sentence for a Kemp, Texas, man who they earlier found guilty in the murder of his common-law wife stemming from a domestic dispute.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, the jury found 68-year-old William Simons guilty in the murder of 62-year-old Roxie Whatley Quilter on March 11, 2014, at their Kemp area home. Simons and Quilter had lived together for approximately 15 years.
Today, May 20, 2015, the jury of eight men and four women sentenced Simons to life in prison.
The trial, held in Kaufman County’s 422nd District Court before Judge B. Michael Chitty, began midday on Monday, May 18, 2015.
Prosecutors argued Simons, a Navy veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, should receive the maximum sentence of life to send a message — if you come to Kaufman County and commit murder, you will be sentenced to life in prison.
“This is about justice for Roxie,” stated Kaufman County Prosecutor Phillip Williams.
Evidence presented during trial revealed Simons shot Quilter twice, once inside the house and again on their front porch, before calling police and admitting he had shot Quilter. The tape of the 911 phone call was presented to the jury during trial.
Simons’ took the stand in his defense and stated he had “snapped” during a domestic dispute before shooting Quilter. “Clearly a sudden passion case,” stated defense attorney Rick Harrison who said Simons’ actions were “out of character.”
Simons was also convicted of assaulting Quilter in 2001 and also had prior convictions for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, according to Kaufman County Chief Prosecutor Marc Moffitt.
The jury found Simons did not act under sudden passion before the murder.
The court appointed an attorney to represent Simons through his likely appeal process.
