Wilkins Found Not Guilty On All Counts

Wilkins 3A jury has found Elaine Wilkins of Summerville not guilty on all counts in connections with the shooting death of Robert “Bob” Packer in June of 2014.

The jury announced their verdict in Chattooga County Superior Court this morning.  Wilkins was the girlfriend of Packer.  Her attorney, Public Defender David Dunn, never denied that Wilkins shot Packer in his home, with his own gun.  However, Dunn contended that Wilkins fired the five shots into Packer after Packer threatened to kill her and several others.

In his opening statement to the jurors last week, Wilkin’s attorney said that Packer had a plan to kill local attorney Albert Palmour, Palmour’s legal secretary and a man that was purchasing property from Packer.  Packer had been accused of murder in October of 2011 when he was arrested for shooting and killing a life-long friend James “Pee-Wee” Kirby.  A jury found Packer not guilty in November of 2012 on charges of murder, and mistrial was declared on the remaining counts.  Packer was represented by Attorney Albert Palmour in those proceedings.

Wilkin’s attorney contended that after drinking heavily, Packer told Wilkins of his plan to kill Palmour and the others and then told his girlfriend, Elaine Wilkins, that he would have to kill her too because “she knew too much.”  According to the defense, Packer went to his truck to retrieve his Colt .45 pistol, forgetting that he had left the weapon in his bedroom.  While Packer was outside, Wilkins retrieved the pistol from under Packer’s pillow in his bedroom.  When he came back in the house and asked Wilkins where his gun was she replied, “it’s right here” and shot him multiple times.

Dunn told the jurors last week, “She did what anyone in that situation would have done.  She shot him to protect her own life.”

The jurors agreed and have exonerated Wilkins on all charges.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print