Tyler Edmonds

Case details

Tyler Edmonds was a 19-year-old man from Mississippi who was tried and convicted for conspiring with his sister to murder his half-sister’s husband. He was 13 at the time of the offence.

Edmonds’ first conviction was overturned and the case was remanded for a new trial. In the second murder trial, the jury acquitted Edmonds on all charges.

Timeline

• May 10, 2003 — Joey Fulgham was shot once in the head in his home in the Longview community in Oktibbeha County.
• May 11, 2003 — Joey Fulgham’s body was found in the bedroom of his home.
• May 12, 2003 — Edmonds made a videotaped confession to police; the prosecution pointed to the videotaped confession made to deputies.
• May 27, 2007 — The Mississippi Supreme Court ordered a new trial; Edmonds was freed last week on $75,000 bond.
• January 4, 2007 — The Mississippi Supreme Court overturned Tyler Edmonds’ murder conviction and ordered a new trial.
• July 26, 2004 — A jury found Edmonds guilty of murder; the judge sentenced him to life in prison.
• July 26, 2004 — Judge Jim Kitchens presided over Edmonds’ trial and sentenced him to life in prison.
• October 31, 2008 — Both sides completed their cases before noon in the second murder trial; closing arguments and jury deliberations were expected.
• November 1, 2008 — Edmonds was acquitted.

People

• Tyler Edmonds — defendant; half-brother of Kristi Fulgham; convicted in 2004 and retried in 2008; later acquitted.
• Kristi Fulgham — Edmonds’ half-sister and Joey Fulgham’s wife; convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 2006; on death row at the time of Edmonds’ 2008 retrial.
• Joey Fulgham — victim; Kristi Fulgham’s husband and Edmonds’ half-sister’s husband.
• Shannon Fulgham — Joey Fulgham’s brother.
• Kim Fulgham — Shannon Fulgham’s wife and Joey Fulgham’s sister-in-law.
• Ann Cash — Joey Fulgham’s mother.
• Danny Edmonds — Kristi Fulgham’s father and Tyler Edmonds’ father; testified for the defense.
• Sharon Clay — Edmonds’ mother.
• Judge Jim Kitchens — circuit judge during Edmonds’ first trial.
• Judge Lee Howard — presiding judge during Edmonds’ second trial.
• Presiding Justice Bill Waller Jr. — wrote the major opinion of the Mississippi Supreme Court ordering a new trial.
• Justice Oliver Diaz — wrote separately in the Mississippi Supreme Court ruling.
• Justice Chuck Easley — wrote a dissenting opinion in the Mississippi Supreme Court decision.
• Assistant District Attorney Patricia Faver — prosecutor at Edmonds’ first trial; handled appeals through the Attorney General’s Office.
• Assistant District Attorney Frank Clark — prosecutor at Edmonds’ first trial and a participant in later discussions about appeals and retrial.
• Jim Waide — Edmonds’ defense attorney.
• Victor Fleitas — Edmonds’ defense attorney.
• Barry Snyder — Edmonds’ defense attorney.
• Rob McDuff — Jackson attorney assisting Waide at Edmonds’ first trial.
• Robert Smith — Jackson-based attorney assisting Waide at Edmonds’ first trial.
• Andrea White — a friend of Tyler; juvenile justice advocate from Summit, Ark.
• Kelly Daniels — author of coverage about Kristi Fulgham taking the stand.
• Jack Elliott Jr. — author of coverage about the Mississippi Supreme Court ordering a new trial.
• Ben Bounds — author of coverage about the Mississippi Supreme Court overturning Edmonds’ conviction.
• Chris Talbott — author of Associated Press coverage.
• Conswella Bennett — author of coverage of the July 26, 2004 verdict and sentencing.
• Steven Griffin — author of coverage of the July 26, 2004 sentencing.

The offence

Edmonds was tried in connection with the 2003 shooting death of Joey Fulgham. Prosecutors described the case as a scheme to kill and rob his half-sister’s ex-husband.

Jurors later heard whether Edmonds helped his half-sister, Kristi Fulgham, killer her sleeping husband, Joey, during Mother’s Day weekend of 2003. During Edmonds’ first trial, jurors had to consider lesser charges because it was unclear if Edmonds knew about the robbery or whether the .22-caliber rifle that killed Joey Fulgham would actually fire.

During closing arguments in the 2004 trial, the prosecution argued the case was about Edmonds bringing the .22 rifle to Kristi Fulgham, and that Kristi “stood behind me, put her hand on the trigger with me, and I looked away, and we squeezed.”

Investigation and evidence

Joey Fulgham was found in his home on May 11, 2003 in the bedroom of his home in the Longview community in Oktibbeha County.

Edmonds made videotaped statements after police interrogation. During Edmonds’ first trial, the prosecution pointed to the videotaped confession made to deputies on May 12, when Edmonds said, “I looked away and we squeezed.” Edmonds’ videotaped confession included statements about seeing blood after firing and about when the crime occurred. At sentencing, the judge addressed Edmonds directly.

The Mississippi Supreme Court overturned Edmonds’ first conviction after determining that unsupported testimony from forensic pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne should not have been allowed as evidence. The Supreme Court said prosecutors had no evidence to support a two-shooter theory. Hayne testified that the positioning of the weapon led him to believe that two people had pulled the trigger. The Supreme Court said this testimony was beyond Hayne’s area of expertise and that there was no showing it was based on scientific methods and procedures.

A defense forensic pathologist, Dr. James Lauridson, made statements that contradicted Edmonds’ confession about blood around the wound, although he was not allowed to say whether his finding contradicted Edmonds’ statement.

The Mississippi Supreme Court also addressed exclusion of testimony from Danny Edmonds, who told law enforcement officers that Kristi asked him for a pistol because “she wanted Joey dead” and that she would kill him in his sleep. The trial judge ruled those statements inadmissible hearsay in the first trial. The Supreme Court held that the statements indicated Kristi’s intention to murder her husband and corroborated Tyler’s defense that Kristi was the person who shot Joey.

During the 2004 trial, the judge also limited testimony about false confessions; the defense sought to present an expert witness on false confessions, but Judge Jim Kitchens did not allow it during the first trial. Judge Kitchens allowed the prosecution’s forensic pathology expert witness to give an opinion about two people pulling the trigger.

During discussions leading to Edmonds’ new trial, it was noted that Hayne had been removed from the list of approved medical examiners from which county prosecutors were encouraged to use.

In coverage describing the investigation and trial history, it was stated that the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office never found the murder weapon or any physical evidence to indicate Edmonds was involved, and that the only physical evidence other than the bullet was Kristi’s fingerprints on the front porch; motion-sensing lights were disabled before the police secured the crime scene.

In coverage, the prosecution and defense accounts differed on how many people fired the shot and the positioning of the weapon.

Arrest and interrogation

Edmonds was arrested soon after Fulgham’s body was found in his Longview home on Buckner Street.

A confession followed an interrogation in which Edmonds’ mother, Sharon Clay, was barred from the room while Edmonds was questioned. During that time, Kristi Fulgham was brought into the room to help coerce Edmonds into admitting he was a willing participant in the murder.

Justice Oliver Diaz wrote separately that the sheriff acted improperly and violated the state’s Youth Court Act when he barred Edmonds’ mother from the room before a three-hour interrogation that resulted in Edmonds’ confession.

Justice Diaz wrote: “On the videotape, just as he finishes confessing, one can see Tyler's mother force herself into the interrogation room to find that her son has confessed to the murder. In a heart-wrenching scene, Tyler tells his mother that he and Kristi 'did it,' all while sobbing, head in hands, unable to stand.”

Edmonds later recanted his confession four days later.

Trial

First trial (2004)

A jury on Saturday found 15-year-old Tyler Edmonds guilty of the lesser charge of murder after jury deliberations that lasted almost six hours. The verdict was unanimous and jurors were polled individually to verify the verdict.

At trial, jurors had four possible choices: guilty of capital murder, not guilty of capital murder, murder, or manslaughter. Judge Jim Kitchens sentenced Edmonds to life in prison. Kitchens had allowed jurors to consider lesser charges of murder and culpable negligent manslaughter because it was unclear if Edmonds knew about the robbery or whether the .22-caliber rifle that killed Joey Fulgham would actually fire.

At sentencing, Judge Jim Kitchens said to Edmonds: “I understand you love your sister, and you maintained your innocence. I think she (Kristi Fulgham) led you into something you didn't want to do, now you've got to live with it.”

Second trial (2008)

Edmonds was retried in Starkville, Mississippi. Judge Lee Howard presided. Assistant District Attorney Frank Clark was the prosecutor. The trial was being conducted in Oktibbeha County, where the crime occurred, and the jury was selected in Attala County.

Edmonds took the stand in his own defense about 8 a.m. He insisted he lied in an initial statement to sheriff’s investigators, telling them he had helped Kristi fire an old family .22 caliber rifle at the back of Joey’s head. In a video of a second statement played for the courtroom, Edmonds told Sheriff Dolph Bryan and others he gave Kristi the gun because she had asked for one to kill a dog. Edmonds testified that when Kristi tried to fire it behind their house on Friday of that weekend, it didn’t work.

Edmonds testified that he was awakened between 3:30 and 4 a.m. Saturday to get ready for a trip to the Jackson, where Kristi planned to visit a boyfriend. He described waiting in the car and hearing “this pop.” He testified that he didn’t think anything else about it and didn’t know what it was.

Edmonds testified that his story changed for late Sunday, when he said Kristi told him Joey was dead when they were minutes away from her mother’s house near Meridian. In her mother’s bedroom, Kristi told him “she did it,” and she “needed me to help her.” Edmonds testified that Kristi concocted a story about how Joey’s shooting had been an accident. Edmonds said: “She messed up my motions big-time.”

Edmonds’ defense attorneys were identified as Jim Waide and Victor Fleitas of Tupelo, and Barry Snyder of North Miami, Fla. The defense attempted to convince the jury that Edmonds was manipulated by Kristi and lied about helping her kill her husband.

Multiple witnesses testified that Edmonds was not a violent person. Other testimony addressed Kristi’s wiles at getting other people to do what she wanted, especially men.

Kristi Fulgham testified briefly and then refused to incriminate herself; she answered no questions and had a red jumpsuit and bound wrists visible in court. After her appearance, Judge Lee Howard stated: “She is now in the women’s maximum security unit awaiting execution,” and also explained she had the right to keep her mouth closed while in the appeal process. Kristi’s courtroom appearance lasted a minute and a half. Kristi had been convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 2006.

Judge Lee Howard ordered the jury to disregard a question during testimony from Edmonds’ father, Danny Edmonds, about how many times he visited his son in jail.

James Lauridson made statements that contradicted Edmonds’ confession. It was stated that while Hayne was again allowed to testify at the second trial, he was not permitted to give his “two hands on the gun” theory.

Closing arguments and jury deliberation

At the second trial, both sides completed their cases before noon. It was stated that after a lunch break, the jury expected to hear closing arguments, legal instructions from Howard, and then begin deliberations about whether the then 13-year-old helped his half-sister kill her sleeping husband.

At the first trial, Assistant District Attorney Frank Clark began the prosecution’s closing arguments and described the event starting May 10, 2003 when Joey Fulgham was shot in his home at “2163 Buckner St., in the Longview Community.” Clark told the jurors: “Shannon saw a glimpse of that nightmare, and it's a nightmare that will never end,” and said: “We're here because it matters.” Clark also stated: “It's the easiest to find. It's the one we've proven.”

Defense counsel Rob McDuff made closing arguments that included: “We don't even believe the facts that Tyler (Edmonds) should even be here,” and said: “He's spent all this time locked in jail because he loved and trusted his sister -- an evil and manipulative woman.” McDuff argued there was no physical evidence linking Edmonds to the crime and urged the jury: “If you have any doubt, he's to be found not guilty,” and: “Tyler has paid the price for the last 15 months. He needs to go home and the only way that will happen is if he is acquitted of all charges.” McDuff also said: “He hasn't been proven guilty and certainly not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Kristi ruined the last 15 months of his life, don't let them ruin any more of his life.”

Lead defense attorney Jim Waide gave additional closing arguments and said: “Tyler knew how important it was to have a relationship with his dad. He got it through his sister, Kristi,” and quoted Waide’s description of Tyler calling for his father: “I want my daddy! Come get me.” Waide also stated: “I believe you'll apply your good common sense,” and described a moment from the videotaped confession: “When Tyler gave his third confession (videotaped on to Sheriff Dolph Bryan) he twisted a rubber band on his wrist, now he's wearing a different bracelet "WWJD."”

Assistant District Attorney Patricia Faver gave a rebuttal and stated: “Tyler Edmonds chose that path May 10, 2003,” and argued: “He knew right from wrong. He was 14 in less than a month with an IQ of 119. He was in the gifted program. He had choices. He knew right from wrong.” She also said: “For them to come in here and portray him as a good innocent kid, I want to say will the real Tyler Edmonds please stand up.” Faver quoted the children’s cries: “I want my daddy.” She added: “Yes, I'm angry now. I'm emotional. I've been called everything from 'Ice Queen' and the 'Heartless Prosecutor,' but what he (Edmonds) did is wrong,” and stated: “As hard as it may be for me at times, I follow that oath. All I'm asking you to do is to follow yours.” She also told the jury: “Base your verdict on the evidence. Follow your oath,” and asked: “will the real Tyler Edmonds please stand up?”

Sentencing

On July 26, 2004, Judge Jim Kitchens sentenced Tyler Edmonds to life in prison.

The jury verdict resulted in a life sentence with the possibility of parole at the age of 65, and Edmonds had to petition the circuit court judge and not a parole board for release at that time. This was part of the description of sentencing in the July 26, 2004 coverage.

Appeals and Supreme Court action

Edmonds’ conviction was overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court on January 4, 2007. The Supreme Court granted Edmonds’ petition for a writ of certiorari, reversed the judgments of the Court of Appeals and the Circuit Court of Oktibbeha County, and remanded his case to the circuit court for a new trial.

The Supreme Court overturned the conviction because Edmonds did not receive a constitutionally fair trial, including that the trial should not have allowed Hayne’s testimony about a two-shooter theory.

It was stated that Kitchens also erred by excluding Danny Edmonds’ testimony.

It was also stated that the Supreme Court’s decision included a 4-3 decision and that Justice Oliver Diaz wrote separately.

The later procedural status included that the Supreme Court’s opinion on motion for rehearing was part of the writ of certiorari process.

Outcome

The legal outcome was recorded as Edmonds’ acquittal on November 1, 2008.

Other details

• Edmonds was described as a juvenile and as being in a gifted program; his IQ was stated as 119 in closing argument coverage.
• Trial attendance and media restrictions were mentioned for the first trial, including that CourtTV, CBS’ 48 Hours, and other local television stations were not allowed to videotape trial proceedings.
• During Edmonds’ first trial, prosecutors referred to Edmonds as one of the victims in the crime and suggested he was led astray by his older half-sister.
• Kristi Fulgham was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 2006, and her conviction was awaiting execution with automatic appeal processes described during Edmonds’ 2008 retrial.
• It was stated that Edmonds was freed on $75,000 bond after the Mississippi Supreme Court’s decision for a new trial.
• In discussions about the new trial, it was stated that Edmonds might ask the U.S. Supreme Court to toss his confession; the defence attorney said the confession’s admissibility was a crucial issue and stated the court rarely intervenes in such issues.
• Judge Lee Howard allowed Hayne to testify in the 2008 retrial but restricted him from giving his two-hands-on-the-gun theory.