On a tragic day in May of 1983, the quiet community of Charles City, Virginia, was shaken by the brutal murders of a well-respected elderly couple, Graham and Myra Adkins. On May 13th, smoke was seen billowing from their home on Route 609. A neighbor who went to investigate discovered a fire and, upon forcing entry into the locked house, found the body of Graham Adkins near the door. He and two others were able to carry Mr.
Adkins's body outside, but the intense flames and smoke prevented any further rescue attempts.
Graham W. Adkins, a 75-year-old male, and his 77-year-old wife, Myra C. Adkins, were both victims of a heinous crime that unfolded within their own home. The subsequent investigation revealed that both had been murdered. Mr. Adkins died from a single gunshot wound to the face, fired from a. 25 caliber gun at close range, which caused a quick death. Evidence showed that his clothing had been saturated with gasoline and kerosene after his death. His wife, Myra, had been subjected to a brutal series of assaults before her death from smoke inhalation; she had been tied up, gagged, and shot in the face before being left in a closet as the fire was set.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the identification and arrest of a suspect named Willie Leroy Jones. It was revealed that Jones was acquainted with the Adkins couple and had a close friendship with Mrs. Adkins. A. 25 caliber gun and a sum of money had been stolen from the Adkins' home just days before the murders.
Willie Leroy Jones was charged with two counts of capital murder, specifically for the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing in the commission of a robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, and for the killing of more than one person in the same act. He was found guilty on both counts. The jury determined that his actions were outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman, involving torture, depravity of mind, or aggravated battery to the victims. Consequently, Jones was sentenced to death for each count of murder. The case underwent an automatic review by the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the execution of Willie Leroy Jones was eventually cleared, bringing a close to the legal chapter of this devastating crime that left a lasting scar on the Charles City community.
