After college, she got a job with the Department of Human Services in Texarkana, often working with seniors. Patti had no heirs, so she left money for several organizations she was involved in, and for her friends, Barbra and Phyllis. Virginia Hyatt, 65, gunned down Patti Wheelington, 59, earlier this month after years of making accusations . James also said that Patti was supposed to join him in Florida a few weeks later. The beloved womans body was found Dec 3 outside her Texarkana home. Still, Pickett says he will be meeting with his client in the next few days to talk about the possibility of appealing. Many members of the square dancing club testified of Virginias jealous streak. It appeared as if she had known her killer, as she was wearing her bathrobe, and had a cigarette in one of her hands. Located in Oak Grove, LA & Lake Providence, LA & Bastrop, LA & Delhi, LA. Sillivan said it appeared that Wheelington was shot as she sat in her chair, and that four more bullets entered her forearm and chest as she tried to reach the door, stopping her where she stood. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. She is survived by her niece, Laura Phillips of Germany, an uncle, John "Jack" Phillips of Las Vegas, Nevada, and step mother, Joan Rule Phillips of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patti was born to David John Phillips and Charlotte Christine Knaeble on November 2, 1954 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "There is suspicion here, there is speculation here, a lot of conjecture here, but there's no proof. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Bernard Little Joe Gorman and his father, Bernard Big Joe Gorman murdered heras she cleaned her employees home in Colleyville, Texas, in 2014. The police didn't believe her. Exclusive. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. We have set your language to Ray was passionate about square dancing and his young wife took to it with glee. Theyre going to say you cant convict because there are no eye witnesses, Stephanie Black argued. Verify and try again. He was born October 7, 1934 to Ralph and Bennie Cook Beaver. Patti Wheelington, 59, was found shot to death on the front porch of her Texarkana home back in December 2013. Virginia Hyatt, who did not take the stand in her own defense, told detectives she spent an hour visiting her mothers nursing home that morning when she was actually there for only 12 minutes. Copyright 2019 - Square World Media, LLC, Jury Picked In Case Of Repeat Sex Offender Accused Of Attacking, Texarkana College Trustees Say Farewell to Longtime Board Member Kaye Ellison, ATLANTA ISDS HR DIRECTOR SEEKS POSITION ON TRS BOARD, Forklift Certification Training Class to Be Held at UA Hope on, First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center Ribbon Cutting. Next, Ken was questioned. Wright ruled that the testimony is inadmissible because Caldwell isn't alive to testify himself. The 59-year-old suffered five gunshot wounds to her chest, back, and forearm, three of which were fatal. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty, which means Virginia Hyatt faces life without the possibility of parole if she is convicted of capital murder. Virginia also told the cops that she had spent an hour at her mothers nursing home when shed actually only been there 12 minutes. View More. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Ken contacted Pattis close friends, Barbra Ricketts and Phyllis Nabors. It took about an hour for a Miller County jury to find a 67-year-old woman guilty of capital murder Monday evening in the . This is a carousel with slides. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. In reviewing Virginias phone records, detectives found hysterical messages she had left on Pattis voicemail a week before the murder. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. James claimedhis marriage to Virginia had been on the rocks for years, sayingthey slept in separate bedrooms and the only thing they still had in common was the square dancing club. He is survived by his wife, Patti Wheelington of Texarkana, AR and a number of friends. Police began their investigation and learned through interviewing witnesses that the suspect was Virginia Hyatt, 65. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. James told them that he and Patti were close friends, but denied any affair. A mutual friend who spoke MailOnline says Ms Hyatt was jealous of any woman who danced with her husband, and that jealousy came to a head shortly after husband James filed for divorce. Owner at Performing Arts Unlimited. Rays health took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 at the age of 81. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Services will be 10am Monday November 12, 2012 at East Funeral Home-Moores Lane Texarkana, TX. James was married to a woman named Virginia, and he had helped the Wheelingtons rebuild their house after a fire had destroyed it. One shot was fired at such close range that soot from the gunshot was apparent on Wheelington's face, Sillivan said. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Texarkana police were called to a home on South Valley Drive Dec. 3 for a possible dead body. .38 caliber shells were also found in the home, thought the murder weapon was never located. When they arrived at her home, they made a terrible discovery. (Source: Jerold Jordan) TEXARKANA, AR (KSLA) - A Texarkana woman has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of a fellow square dancer in Miller County. She was so cold and swollen, I knew she had been there for a while and there was not going to be any reviving her, said Nabors. Try again later. This account has been disabled. Sign up for service and obituary updates. They were asked about the life insurance money. 0 Add Rating Anonymously. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 pm Sunday November 11, 2012 at . On the morning of December 3, 2013, Patti was sipping coffee on her front porch when Virginia Hyatt marched up her drive and shot her five times with a .38 caliber pistol. Then, i. n Texarkana, Patti met and started dating Ray Wheelington. While Hyatt's defense attorney argued that there was no physical evidence placing her at the crime scene, prosecutors worked during the trial to convince the jury shewas in the area at the time, had a motive and knew how to use a gun. For this case, I watched an episode of Snapped. She wont be able to hurt anyone else now. He was retired from Walsh Lumpkin Drug Company where he worked for over 40 years in sales, sales management and key accounts. Detectives also learned ugly rumors were floating around the Guys and Dolls Square Dancing Club, claimingPatti was having an affair with James Hyatt. Anne Kasprzak told her boyfriend Darwin Bagshaw, Bernard Little Joe Gorman and his father, Bernard Big Joe Gorman murdered her. Virginia will most likely die in prison. The police in Riverton, Ohio, concluded that Anne Kasprzak told her boyfriend Darwin Bagshaw that she was pregnant, and the teenager responded by brutally beating her to death. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. James had asked Patti to go to Florida with him, because he was afraid of what Virginia might do. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. The Wheelingtons house became the unofficial headquarters of the Guys and Dolls Club, with the couple hosting cookouts and gatherings. She made some disparaging comments about Patti and saying that Patti was flirtatious, Prosecutor Stephanie Barrett told producers. On December 3, 2013, Patti was supposed to take her friend, Ken Caldwell, to the doctor around 3pm. As per prison records, Virginia remains incarcerated at the McPherson Womens Unit in Newport, Arkansas. Phyllis said she did know that they would be receiving some money because Patti had mentioned it to them. Ms Wheelington was shot dead in her home by Mrs Hyatt, authorities told KSLA. While here she met and married Raymond Wheelington. http://archive.thv11.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=289507, http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/24156684/texarkana-woman-held-without-bond-in-fatal-shooting-of-fellow-square-dancer, http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2014/07/10/trial-set-virginia-ann-hyatt-murder-trial/12472007/, http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/2014/07/10/murder-trial-set-for-the-fall-387286.php, http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/2014/02/26/virginia-hyatt-pleads-not-guilty-in-patricia-wheelington-shooting/5833271/, http://www.ksla.com/story/24156684/texarkana-woman-held-without-bond-in-fatal-shooting-of-fellow-square-dancer, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/9/1m-bail-set-in-texarkana-square-dancer-death/, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2530058/Woman-shoots-dead-fellow-square-dancer-years-jealousy-end-horror.html, http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Patricia+Ann-Wheelington&lc=1888&pid=168499860&mid=5773498, Your email address will not be published. They told James, who said he wasn't going to kill himself, but believed that Virginia was going to kill him and make it look like a suicide. TEXARKANA, AR (KSLA) - A Texarkana woman has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of a fellow square dancer in Miller County. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Instead, Hyatt received an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. It was Virginia Ann Hyatt, who, along with her then-husband James Hyatt was part of the dance club and good friends with Patti and Ray. The couple joined the Guys and Dolls Square Dancing Club, which had over 100 members. James Hyatt packed a few belongings and left Virginia Hyatt the day after Thanksgiving 2013. The test came back positive. She cued for clubs and festivals throughout Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama. You can get you any man in the street anywhere. Phyllis and Barbra met the police in the front yard of Patti's home. Who Was Patti Wheelington? So, lets find out more about this case then, shall we? "We were disappointed, but the verdict notwithstanding, still our respect and regard for the verdict," said defense attorney John Pickett. Man in the home, thought the murder weapon was never located possible dead body on December 3,,! James Hyatt, or redistributed left on Pattis voicemail a week before murder... 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