Episode 277: Wilbur & Wilma Williams Part 1

The First Degree

Alexis Linkletter and Jac Vanek

Society & Culture, News, True Crime

4.5 • 10K Ratings

🗓️ 13 December 2023

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On Tuesday, August 3, 1999, 14-year-old identical twin brothers Donell and Ronell Williams break into a house in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas. They steal numerous items, including a handgun and ammunition. Later that day, the brothers are wandering their neighborhood aimlessly with the stolen pistol and live rounds in their possession. By chance, Ronell and Donell spot 79-year-old Wilbur John Williams (no relation) walking toward his mailbox. Shortly after, Ronell holds Wilbur and his wife, 73-year-old Wilma Faye Williams, at gunpoint in their own home while Donell steals their valuables. Afterward, as Donell readies the getaway car, Ronell shoots and kills both Wilbur and Wilma. He leaves as the elderly couple lay dying. Then, corruption in the Kansas City Police Department brings up questions. In episode 277, Jac and Alexis detail the atrocities caused by two teens’ unthinkable decisions and the far-reaching impact their crimes continue to have on the lives of others.

Transcript

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0:00.0	It's a degree.
0:02.0	First degree. First degree. First degree. First degree. First degree. First degree.
0:06.0	First degree.
0:07.0	The first degree.
0:08.0	You see it on the news.
0:10.0	See it on the paper. You see it on Facebook.
0:12.0	These things are supposed to happen in movies. See it on a paper, on Facebook.
0:13.0	These things are supposed to happen in movies, not real life.
0:16.0	They love them to die.
0:23.0	I just think it was a horrible way.
0:26.0	He knew that they were still alive and he chose to walk out and leave.
0:30.0	My first thought was they're still in the house. We need to get out of here. My mom wasn't even in the door yet and I just remember opening the door I ran out and opened the door and I was like no we got to go we got to go in
0:42.6	and she's like what I'm like no we can't you know I was thinking they're still in the
0:47.2	house like these people could be in there to get up and I remember calling
0:52.1	to my best friend since kindergarten. I was just like, can you come over?
0:56.2	Like in total shock, she did not believe me. She was like, are you kidding? And I was like, no, I'm not. Like, I need you here. A huge
1:04.8	part of our life was taking so early. Christmases were different.
1:09.6	Thanksgiving were different. Every holiday, birthdays.
1:12.6	It's so different without them.
1:16.4	Welcome to the first degree of the True Crime Podcast
1:18.3	that you might end up on.
1:19.4	My name is Jack Fannick.
	...

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