NITRO, W.Va. — The Charleston man charged with killing his on-again, off-again girlfriend in her car in the parking lot at the Nitro Walmart this week has a long criminal record including domestic violence charges involving the woman who was found dead Monday.
Kanawha County Magistrate Court records show Eric Richmond, 54, has been in and out of court on various charges for at least the last dozen years.
The criminal history includes a domestic violence charge involving murder victim Misty Williams on April 6, 2023.
According to a criminal complaint, Williams called police about an assault that had taken place earlier in the night at Zone Bar and Grill in Cross Lanes. Williams said Richmond grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground. Williams told the deputy she was pulled through the parking lot by Richmond.
A magistrate dismissed the charges less than three months later on June 23, 2023.
Court records also show Richmond being charged with domestic battery on April 25, 2021. Those charges were dismissed on Jan. 3, 2022.
The most recent domestic battery charge was filed on Aug. 22, 2024 along with two counts of obstructing a law enforcement officer. All three counts were dismissed on Dec. 20, 2024.
Williams, 40, of Dunbar, was found slumped over in the front seat of her car after she didn’t return from her Monday morning break. Police charged Richmond with first degree murder. Investigators said they have video evidence of Richmond being in the Walmart and going to Williams’ car and then getting in and out of both the passenger and driver side of the vehicle several times. Video surveillance also showed the car pulling forward at one point and colliding with a parked vehicle.
The criminal complaint said a 9mm handgun was found at Richmond’s residence when police searched it Monday.
Investigators said Richmond and Williams have children together.
Richmond is in the South Central Regional Jail without bail. He’s scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing next Monday.