In the spring of 2017, the life of 48-year-old Robert Walters was tragically cut short in his Gulfport, Mississippi, home. The man, a sales representative known for his strong work ethic and ability to lift others' spirits with laughter, was fatally shot in the chest on April 4th. His death was the culmination of a tense situation involving an acquaintance he had recently sheltered.
Just days before the fatal shooting, Walters had allowed 34-year-old Stephen Redmond and his estranged
wife to stay at his residence in the Hidden Oaks subdivision. The atmosphere in the home was reportedly fueled by methamphetamine and marijuana use. A dispute arose between Redmond and his wife, prompting Walters to ask Redmond to leave the premises. This request, however, did not deter Redmond from returning with violent intentions.
On the day of the murder, Redmond was seen lying in wait in Walters' backyard, armed with a. 22-caliber Ruger that he had stolen from Walters' truck. When Walters returned home with Redmond's wife, a confrontation ensued. Despite a witness's warning to Walters, an argument broke out between the two men, which escalated to the point of a physical struggle over the firearm. The altercation ended when Redmond shot Walters from a distance of three to four feet. The wounded Walters managed to retreat to his bedroom, where he was later found. He was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries about an hour later.
In the immediate aftermath, Stephen Redmond fled the scene. However, his freedom was short-lived. A Gulfport police officer, leaving the crime scene later that evening, astutely spotted Redmond just a few houses away and arrested him without incident. Initially, Redmond denied his presence in Gulfport on the day of the murder, but he eventually admitted to being at the house to confront Walters about his relationship with his wife and to obtain meth.
Stephen Redmond was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. During his trial in Harrison County Circuit Court, his defense team argued that the shooting was accidental, occurring during a struggle for the gun. They contended that a manslaughter conviction would be more appropriate. However, the prosecution successfully argued that Redmond's actions, including stealing the weapon and lying in wait for the victim, demonstrated clear intent to kill. A jury found Redmond guilty of first-degree murder in September 2018. Following the conviction, a judge sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Robert Walters.
