Extracted from The Laurel Leader-Call (Laurel, MS)
Thursday, July 16, 1959

Verdict of Coroner's Jury Is That Youth Acted In Defense of Mother & Self

A 45-year old man was shot to death by his 11-year-old stepson in an Airbase apartment, the family home, Wednesday night and a coroner's jury has recorded a verdict that the slaying was in defense of the boy's mother and in self-defense.

Sheriff Fred Walters identified the dead man as W. L. (Willie) Walsworth and the stepson as Marion Sheffield. He said the boy fired a load of double-ought buckshot from a 12-guage [sic 12-gauge] automatic shotgun into Walsworth's chest and that death was instantaneous.

The sheriff said Walsworth allegedly was choking the boy's mother in a bedroom at the apartment and that the youth, armed with a shotgun, walked in and warned the stepfather to stop.

Walsworth did stop choking his wife and she ran from the bedroom the sheriff said. But Walsworth allegedly lunged toward the boy and the youth pulled the trigger of the gun. Struck by the full load of buckshot, Walsworth fell dead on the floor of the bedroom.

Mrs. Walsworth confirmed that her husband was choking her, the sheriff said, and also told officers that he had previously beat her. Neighbors heard Mrs. Walsworth scream and conversation that indicated Walsworth was attacking her, the sheriff said.

Walsworth had been drinking, Sheriff Walters said. He was a driver for a Laurel trucking company. Mrs. Walsworth is employed at Reliance Manufacturing Plant here.

Four other children, including a 13 year old stepson and a younger daughter and two smaller sons, were in the home but did not witness the shooting, the sheriff said.

During the investigation, a man and wife, neighbors of the Walsworths were arrested and jailed on charges of public drunkenness and disturbance, the sheriff said. He identified them as Mr. and Mrs. J. P. (Pete) English and said he filed the charges against them. They were released under bond today pending court trial.

The Walsworth apartment is one of 86 Airbase apartments operated as rental homes by the City of Laurel. The Walsworth family had occupied the apartment where the shooting occurred since November 6, 1958, it was learned at City Hall today. The family previously lived in another Airbase apartment from January 3, 1957, until August 11, 1958, it was also learned.

Sheriff Walters said he was called to the scene by Police Sergeant Jerry Landrum and Patrolman John Gatlin, the first officers there. The Airbase apartments are outside the city boundary and city police were without jurisdiction.

Also aiding in the investigation were District Attorney Grover Doggette, County Prosecutor Leonard Melvin, Jr., and Billy Rogers, youth counsellor for the county.

C. B. Ellzey impaneled the inquest jury which included Sergeant Jerry Landrum, Patrolman John Gatlin, T. E. Fant, Harold Harper, J. F. Ingram and J. D. Barnes.

The inquest jury verdict was in this language: “Deceased killed by stepson in defense of his mother and self.”

Included in the coroner's report was a statement of a doctor who said death was caused by a shotgun fired at close range. Investigating officers said powder burns were near the death wound.

Although no charge was filed against young Sheffield, he was turned over to juvenile authorities, the sheriff said.

Funeral services for Walsworth are to be conducted from Memory Chapel at 3 p. m. Friday with the Rev. Gerald Gooch and the Rev. Tommy Fant officiating. Interment will follow in Hickory Grove cemetery with Memory Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Named as pallbearers are Grady Chance, Boots Smith, Woody Walters, William Pitts, Gene Robinson and H. F. Rogers.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Ester Jackson Walsworth, Laurel; three daughters, Mrs. Irene Manchester, Ferriday, La.; Miss Irma Jean Walsworth, Ferriday; and Miss Merlene Walsworth, Laurel; five sons, James Edmond Walsworth, Bobby Gerald Walsworth, Radford Ennis Walsworth and W. L. Walsworth, Jr., all of Laurel; and Kennith Ray Walsworth, Ferriday, La.; two stepsons, Marion Sheffield and Bobby Sheffield, both of Laurel.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Ainsworth, Saline, La.; a sisters, Mrs. Lane Calhoun, Richmond, Texas; two brothers, Loton Walsworth, Vidalia, La.; and Jimmie Walsworth, Saline, La.