Gail Tice Hewson, a 67-year-old Caucasian woman, was tragically shot and killed in her home at 1721 Fontenay Place in the upscale Landfall community near Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, NC, on September 29, 2004. She was a well-known local real estate agent. On that fateful morning, Ms. Tice made a desperate 911 call, informing the dispatcher that her husband, Robert Hewson, was shooting her.
The chilling recording captured her final moments as she moved from room to room, trying to escape the gunfire.
Robert Hewson, aged 72, was estranged from Gail Tice and had a history of domestic violence. He was charged with first-degree murder, violating a domestic violence protective order, and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling. The prosecution argued that Hewson acted with premeditation and deliberation in the shooting. The defense attempted to argue for a second-degree murder conviction, which carries a lesser sentence, but the jury took only 90 minutes to return a first-degree murder conviction.
In November 2005, Robert Hewson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He did not apologize for his actions but expressed that he felt the court did not hear the truth. The case drew significant media attention, and the judge ruled that the 911 tape could be used as evidence in the trial.
The tragic death of Gail Tice Hewson and the subsequent conviction of her husband highlighted the serious issue of domestic violence and the importance of protective orders in safeguarding victims. The case also underscored the legal system's efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, even when they are senior citizens.
