CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha County man will go on trial next April for the murder of his on-again, off-again girlfriend.
Eric Richmond, 54, of Charleston, appeared before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Dave Hardy on Tuesday afternoon for his arraignment. It was the first time that Richmond had appeared in court since he was arrested for the April 13 shooting death of Misty Williams, 40, of Dunbar, at the Nitro Walmart.
Kanawha County deputies said that Richmond shot Williams in her car while she was on a 20-minute break from work. Court records indicated that Richmond was previously charged with domestic-related offenses in the years prior to Williams’ death.
Hardy set Richmond’s trial date for April 5, 2027.
Richmond was recently indicted on charges of first-degree murder and three firearm-related offenses, including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty to all four charges on Tuesday.
Investigators said that Richmond and Williams shared children together.
Investigators said they have video evidence of Richmond being in the Walmart on the morning of Williams’ death. Additionally, they said they saw Richmond going to Williams’ car, 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 following the discovery of Williams’ body,
Kanawha County Magistrate Court records showed that Richmond had four domestic battery charges dismissed since 2016, including one that involved Williams on April 6, 2023.
In exchange for Richmond waiving his preliminary hearing earlier this year, some advanced early discovery has already been shared from the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to Richmond’s attorney Mark McMillian.
McMillian reserved the right to revisit bond in the future.
Richmond remains in the South Central Regional Jail without bail.