MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Opening statements got underway Monday in the trial against a woman accused of killing a Mount Dora couple. Vickie Williams is accused of murdering Darryl and Sharon Getman on New Year’s Eve in 2022.
The state spent its opening argument explaining to the courtroom who the Getmans were and what took place the day they were killed.
Attorneys described how the couple had just settled into their new home at the Waterman Village senior living community, but their plans to ring in the new year on Dec. 31, 2022, were cut short.
The defense team, representing Vickie Williams, claims that she suffers from schizophrenia and psychosis and doesn’t understand right from wrong.
The state argues Williams knew what she was doing.
Later in the day, the jury heard from state witnesses, including neighbors, Waterman Village security workers, law enforcement and a medical examiner.
“(I) saw Mrs. Getman lying on the floor and I saw Mr. Getman a few feet away,” witness Robert Dodsworth said.
According to the state, in December of 2022, Williams was given a ticket to come to Orlando from Georgia to meet with the Samaritan Village, a safe-house program for women. The state notes, during the intake process, Williams decided to leave. Her defense team told the courtroom that members of the Good Samaritan Village thought she seemed “off and bizarre.”
The state explained that prior to the Getmans’ killing, Williams had multiple interactions with different residents and security before allegedly committing the murders and stealing the Getmans’ vehicle at the Waterman Village senior living community.
Dr. Tracy Shipe, an associate medical examiner, says based on the report findings, the victims both died from multiple stab wounds. Evidence shows that Williams’ DNA was also found in the Getmans’ home.