In the small town of Hollandale, Mississippi, the community was shaken by the unexpected and violent death of Felon Bartley 'Bart' Boykin III on December 8, 2018. The 60-year-old male, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was a well-known figure in the local area, particularly for his passion for baseball which he had nurtured since his own college days playing at Ole Miss.
His dedication to the sport extended to coaching boys' baseball and girls' softball at Deer Creek School for over two decades, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many young athletes he mentored.
The tragic events of that December day unfolded when Boykin suffered two gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the Delta Regional Medical Center but was pronounced dead upon arrival, leaving his family and the close-knit community in a state of shock and mourning. The Hollandale Police Department, in conjunction with the Washington County Sheriff's Department, launched an immediate and thorough investigation into the homicide. Their swift actions led to the apprehension of a suspect, Willie Pam, within hours of the incident.
Investigators diligently gathered evidence, which included the murder weapon, shell casings from the scene, and video footage that captured Pam fleeing the area. This evidence proved crucial in building a case against him. Willie Pam was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As the case was set to go to trial in May 2021, Pam entered a guilty plea to the charges brought against him. For his crimes, he was sentenced to 40 years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The terms of his sentence stipulate that he will serve 30 of those years day-for-day behind bars, with the remaining time to be spent on post-release supervision. The conviction brought a measure of closure to Boykin's family, who had patiently awaited justice.
