Vickie Williams found guilty of murder in 2022 killings of Mount Dora couple
Jury finds Vickie Williams guilty in 2022 murders of Mount Dora couple
A verdict has been reached in the trial of Vickie Williams, the woman accused of stabbing and killing an elderly couple in Mount Dora in 2022.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A jury convicted Vickie Williams on Tuesday on all counts in the 2022 murders of Sharon and Darryl Getman inside their home at a senior living facility in Mount Dora.
The Getman's were found brutally stabbed to death on New Year's Eve inside their home within the gated Waterman Village retirement community.
Vickie Williams found guilty
What we know:
The jury deliberated for less than an hour – roughly 30 minutes -- on Tuesday before finding Williams guilty of:
- First-degree murder in the death of Sharon Getman
- First-degree murder in the death of Darryl Getman
- Grand theft
Williams did not appear to show a distinct reaction immediately after the verdict was read. She stared briefly ahead, then looked at her lawyer and then at the judge when addressed.
The arguments:
Williams' defense team did not dispute that Williams killed the Getmans, but argued that she was suffering from a severe psychotic episode and not legally sane at the time of the killings.
The prosecution argued that their deaths were premeditated, citing Williams used three different knives, cleaned up afterward in the Getman's bathroom, and stole their jewelry and their 2019 Kia Soul.
What they're saying:
"Vickie Williams was predisposed by genetics, she was poisoned by schizophrenia , and she was consumed by psychosis," her team argued in closing statements.
"We know both of these victims died at her hands, we know it is premeditated because of the number of injuries and the number of weapons used to commit these acts," the prosecution said in closing arguments.
"This verdict brings accountability for the brutal deaths of Darryl and Sharon Getman," said State Attorney Bill Gladson in a statement.
"Our office is grateful for the dedicated work of our law enforcement partners and the forensic analysts who worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence in this case. Most importantly, we remember Darryl and Sharon and the lives they should have been able to continue living."
Will jury recommend death or life in prison?
What's next:
The penalty or sentencing phase of the trial will begin on Thursday. Jurors will have to decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison, though it will ultimately be up to the judge to decide Williams' sentence.
Prosecutors previously said they intended to seek the death penalty against Williams.
The backstory:
On Dec. 23, 2022, Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80, were found stabbed to death inside their home.
Williams was identified as a person of interest and arrested on Jan. 2, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. Officials said Williams took jewelry and paintings from the Getmans, and drove their car up to Georgia.
The Source: This story uses information from the live broadcast feed of the trial from inside the courtroom, details from FOX 35's Alexus Cleavenger, who was inside the courtroom on Tuesday, a statement from the Florida State Attorney's Fifth Judicial Circuit, online record records, and previously reporting by FOX 35 staff.