Moment ‘Michael D. Williams, 47, Allegedly Murders His Ex-Wife And Her Adult Son Amid Dispute over Electric Bill In Volusia County, Florida’ Michael D. Williams, 47, allegedly claimed Marsha Ebanks-Williams, 48, and Robert Adams, 28, attacked him and that he was acting in self-defense. Authorities, however, said that any visible marks on his body did not match his account of being violently assaulted.
Michael D. Williams, 47, Allegedly Murders His Ex-Wife And Her Adult Son Amid Dispute over Electric Bill In Volusia County, Florida
The violent encounter stemmed from a fight over electricity usage at the former couple’s home in Volusia County, Florida. Authorities believe Adams’ children, ages 5 and 6, saw the incident happen.
“This is senseless,” sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brian Henderson said in a press conference on Monday. “This is absolutely senseless.”
What Henderson called a “toxic” relationship is recounted in detail from a press release, the press conference, and a charging affidavit that has been partially redacted.
Williams and Ebanks-Williams split in June after a marriage of roughly ten years. The idea, according to the investigators, was for Ebanks-Williams to sell the home and divide the proceeds with the former couple. While Williams was permitted to remain there, the marital situation remained rough, according to the deputies: Henderson reported that five times in 2022 alone, DeLand police were summoned to a home on East Parkway. Although there were clashes and disagreements, none of them, according to him, warranted arrest.
That allegedly changed, however, after a days-long argument over power usage at the residence. Williams was upset, claiming the others were leaving the lights on at the home, Henderson said.
He allegedly said he left for Orlando to put his things in storage, but before he did, he changed the locks on the patio door, shut off the power to the home via the outside breaker box, and secured that breaker box with a lock. According to deputies, Williams said he got an ADT alert while in Orlando. He returned home to find that Ebanks-Williams and Adams had cut the breaker box lock, Williams said in this account.
Williams stated that when he attempted to enter the house, a lady (probably Ebanks-Williams) blocked him, a guy (presumably Adams) warned him to get his hands off her, and a struggle occurred. Specifics are unclear because the victims’ identities have been withheld from the charging document. Williams allegedly said that they physically struggled with him and hit and kicked him. He insisted that the shooting was done in self-defense. Williams allegedly claimed that the kids witnessed the event. After packing the pistol away and dialing 911, he waited in his car in the driveway.
That allegedly changed, however, after a days-long argument over power usage at the residence. Williams was upset, claiming the others were leaving the lights on at the home, Henderson said.
He allegedly said he left for Orlando to put his things in storage, but before he did, he changed the locks on the patio door, shut off the power to the home via the outside breaker box, and secured that breaker box with a lock. According to deputies, Williams said he got an ADT alert while in Orlando. He returned home to find that Ebanks-Williams and Adams had cut the breaker box lock, Williams said in this account.
Williams stated that when he attempted to enter the house, a lady (probably Ebanks-Williams) blocked him, a guy (presumably Adams) warned him to get his hands off her, and a struggle occurred. Specifics are unclear because the victims’ identities have been withheld from the charging document. Williams allegedly said that they physically struggled with him and hit and kicked him. He insisted that the shooting was done in self-defense. Williams allegedly claimed that the kids witnessed the event. After packing the pistol away and dialing 911, he waited in his car in the driveway.
He allegedly contradicted himself in his post-Miranda interview, according to deputies. Williams allegedly claimed that he inquired about whether to return inside the house and provide aid to the victims and that the dispatcher said no. But according to deputies, the audio showed instead that the dispatcher asked if he would be willing to render aid, and he declined.
Detectives said they photographed Michael for his “injuries, of which there was nothing significant”: a scratch on his upper lip, abrasion on the outside of his left knee, and light horizontal scratches across his torso.
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There was a lot of blood on his pants and socks, but this did not seem to be his, they said.
Citing the lack of apparent injuries on Williams’ booking photo, Henderson voiced doubt about the attack story.
Deputies said they found the children unharmed in the home. The Florida Department of Children and Families arrived to help take care of them while the contact was made with the mother.
Williams remains at the Volusia County Jail, held without bond for two counts of first-degree murder.
