Florida Woman Convicted of Murdering Elderly Couple Before Taking Their Car to Georgia

A Florida woman has been convicted of murdering an elderly married couple inside their home at a retirement community before taking their vehicle and driving to Georgia — where a friend testified that she laughed and spoke as though she had simply acquired a new car.

Vickie Williams, 53, was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of first-degree murder and theft of a motor vehicle in the deaths of Darryl Getman, 83, and his wife, Sharon Getman, 80.

The same jury will now consider whether Williams should receive life in prison or the death penalty. The penalty phase is scheduled to begin Thursday.

Couple Found Dead on New Year’s Day

The Getmans were discovered dead on Jan. 1, 2023, at their home in the Lakeside at Waterman Village Retirement Community in Mount Dora, an Orlando suburb.

Police responded after receiving separate 911 calls reporting that two people had been killed.

Investigators found both victims suffering from extensive injuries consistent with a violent attack. Evidence throughout the residence indicated that the attacker had moved through the home before leaving through the garage.

The couple’s vehicle was gone.

Prosecutors later argued that stealing that car was central to Williams’ actions that night.

Prosecutors Say Williams Wanted to Reach Georgia

At trial, Williams’ attorneys argued that she suffered from mental illness and was not legally responsible for the killings.

Prosecutors acknowledged that she had mental health issues but maintained that she understood the difference between right and wrong.

According to their case, Williams went to the Getmans’ home, repeatedly attacked the couple, attempted to clean up afterward, took their keys and drove their vehicle to her native Savannah, Georgia.

What allegedly happened after she arrived in Savannah became one of the most striking moments of the trial.

A friend, Fuller Blue, testified that Williams appeared to be in a cheerful mood when she arrived at her apartment.

“She busted out laughing,” Blue told the court.

According to Blue, Williams then said that everything was fine and that she had bought herself a new car.

Missing Car Led Investigators to Georgia

Evidence discovered inside the Getmans’ home helped investigators reconstruct Williams’ movements.

Police reported finding footprints leading through the residence toward the garage, while the couple’s vehicle was nowhere to be found.

Investigators then used GPS information associated with Sharon Getman’s phone to track the vehicle across state lines.

The trail eventually led authorities to a train station parking lot in Georgia, where Williams was arrested.

Jury Rejects Defense Argument

Williams’ mental state became a central issue during the trial.

Her defense argued that her mental illness meant she should not be held legally responsible for what happened. Prosecutors countered that despite those issues, her actions before and after the killings showed that she knew what she was doing was wrong.

After hearing the evidence, jurors rejected the defense argument and convicted Williams of both first-degree murder counts as well as vehicle theft.

The case will now move into its penalty phase.

Beginning Thursday, the jury that convicted Williams will be asked to consider the punishment for the murders of Darryl and Sharon Getman — with Williams now facing either life imprisonment or the death penalty.