In the quiet town of Chilhowie, Virginia, the life of 52-year-old Lola Lynn Lowe was tragically cut short on a summer day in 2014. On June 22nd, emergency services received a startling call from a woman named Vickie Ann Morefield, who calmly stated that she had shot someone. When Smyth County deputies arrived at Morefield's home on Riverside Road, they found Lowe inside, deceased from a gunshot wound. The initial investigation quickly led to the arrest of Morefield, who was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The subsequent legal proceedings revealed a history of conflict between the two women, who were tragically connected through family ties. Vickie Morefield was the grandmother of Lola Lowe's grandchild. Testimony during the trial painted a grim picture of their relationship, with witnesses describing ongoing arguments and animosity. Prosecutors argued that the shooting was a premeditated act of violence, a culmination of the long-standing discord between the two women. Morefield's defense attorney countered that she acted in self-defense, alleging that Lowe had been the aggressor.
Despite the claim of self-defense, the jury found Vickie Ann Morefield guilty of first-degree murder and the associated firearm charge. The evidence presented during the trial, including Morefield's own call to 911 and the details of the ongoing feud, likely played a significant role in the jury's decision. Ultimately, Morefield was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison for the death of Lola Lynn Lowe, bringing a somber conclusion to a case that shook the small Virginia community.
