WEBB — A local resident is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the Sunday morning death of a reputed friend who lived with him.
Terry Willis, 49, of 351 S. Cree St., Webb, is being held at the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler on a bond of $100,000, according to Webb Police Chief Mack Dixon.
Willis is accused of killing Kevin Robinson, 42, who had been “temporarily staying” at Willis’ Cree Street residence, the scene of the crime, said Dixon.
“As far as I know, they were friends,” the chief noted.
Dixon said Willis reported the incident himself by flagging down a passing police officer who was on patrol in his neighborhood shortly after 9 Sunday morning.
The chief said Robinson, who appeared to sustain a single head wound, was found dead inside Willis’ single-wide mobile home.
Tallahatchie County Coroner Ginger Meriwether on Monday said her preliminary finding is that Robinson’s death “appears to be the result of some kind of blunt force injury,” adding, “It’s pending investigation and autopsy.”
She said the autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday.
Dixon would neither confirm nor deny a report that a hammer was involved in the slaying, noting only that several items recovered from the scene were sent to the state crime lab for analysis.
The chief said Willis was taken into custody for questioning on Sunday and was formally charged late Monday.
Dixon declined to discuss Willis’ account of the incident or a possible motive, explaining that the case “is still under investigation.” He did say there were no eyewitnesses.
Second-degree murder in Mississippi is defined as a killing that was not planned or premeditated, or one caused by dangerous conduct or disregard for human life. It carries a possible penalty of from 20 years to life imprisonment.
IN THE PHOTO: Webb Police Chief Mack Dixon on Tuesday checks near a mobile home that was the setting of Sunday’s early-morning murder of a local man after a call about possible unauthorized entry at the scene. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
