In the summer of 2015, the life of 35-year-old Pamela Michelle Burgess, a vibrant and dedicated mother, was tragically cut short in Charleston, South Carolina. Known for her infectious smile and uplifting personality, she was a respected paralegal at Parker Poe and a dance instructor at Amorous Dance Pole & Fitness. She was also an active member of her community, serving as an officer in the Daughters of the Nile, Milcah Temple No.
77.
On the morning of August 5, 2015, the father of her two-year-old son, William Thomas Gule Jr., shot her four times in the head while she was in her bed. The tragic event unfolded in her West Ashley home and was rooted in a tumultuous relationship and a dispute over the custody of their child. In the month leading up to the incident, Burgess had made Gule move out of the residence.
Following the shooting, Gule contacted 911, initially claiming the shooting was an accident that occurred during a 'tussle'. He later surrendered to authorities in Summerville. Despite his initial claims, the forensic evidence presented a grimly different picture, showing that Burgess was shot while lying in her bed. The investigation revealed a history of unreported domestic violence between the couple.
In October 2018, a Charleston County jury found William Thomas Gule Jr. guilty of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He was subsequently sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder charge and a concurrent five-year sentence for the firearms charge. The case brought to light the devastating consequences of domestic violence, leaving a young son without either of his parents.
