Darionne Cherelle Burley, a 26-year-old African American woman from Mansfield, Texas, tragically lost her life on June 29, 2020. She was a dedicated daughter, sister, and expectant mother, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her twin boys. Darionne was born on July 14, 1993, in Fort Worth, Texas, and was the fourth child among six siblings. She had attended Connors State College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where she earned her Associates Degree.
On the day of her death, Darionne was last seen
with her boyfriend, Maurice Kelso Smith, 32, at a Waffle House in the Fort Worth area. Within an hour, Smith shot Burley in the back of the head, causing her immediate death and the deaths of her unborn twin boys. Smith then drove to Mansfield, where he attempted to cover up the crime by robbing a woman at gunpoint and stealing her car. However, police found Burley's body in Smith's vehicle at the scene of the robbery.
Smith was later arrested and charged with capital murder. During the investigation, police discovered that Smith had purchased the murder weapon illegally the day before the crime and had a history of violence towards Burley. In court, prosecutors revealed that Smith had been using drugs heavily and had assaulted Burley earlier in June 2020. The jury found Smith guilty of capital murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Burley family, devastated by the loss, expressed their grief and the impact of Smith's actions on their lives. They emphasized that there are no winners in this tragic situation and shared what life could have been for Darionne and their family without Smith's actions.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues to prevent further tragedies.
