Powhatan County

3100 block of French Hill Drive

9:49 PM

Gunshot

Unknown

Family says killing of uncle accidental
Nephew, 21, accused of murder; kin say altercation escalated
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008
By CALVIN R. TRICE
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Family members of a Chesterfield County man accused in the shooting death of his uncle consider the incident a tragic accident.

David Woodfin Jr., 21, received a court-appointed attorney and a Sept. 19 hearing date during a brief appearance yesterday in Powhatan County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Woodfin is accused in the Friday shotgun slaying of his uncle, Donald P. Malkemus Jr., 49, at Malkemus’ home in the 3100 block of French Hill Drive in Powhatan County.

The two worked together as arborists, and the shooting was a result of an altercation that escalated, family members said after the hearing.

Woodfin’s younger sister, Katelyn Woodfin, said the killing was unintentional.

“My brother loved my uncle, and I don’t think he meant to do what he did,“ said the 18-year-old Woodfin, who lived with her brother.

Elizabeth Malkemus, Woodfin’s mother and the victim’s sister, called the incident a terrible accident.

“I feel in my heart that Donald has forgiven my son,“ she said outside the courthouse—visibly shaken as she attempted to wrestle with conflicting emotions.

John Tuttle, an arborist and friend of David Woodfin and Donald Malkemus, said both were fine, upstanding people. Tuttle, a deacon at First Baptist Church in Powhatan, is acting as the family’s spiritual adviser.

“The love of the Lord will pull both families through this,“ he said.

Judge Valentine W. Southall Jr. appointed Richmond lawyer Rodney Jefferson to represent Woodfin, who faces charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted on both counts.

Man is arrested in uncle’s killing / Family is left heartbroken and mystified by shooting Friday
By Wesley P. Hester
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer

Sunday,August 3, 2008

Powhatan

Powhatan County authorities yesterday arrested a man accused of the shotgun slaying of his uncle Friday night.

David Woodfin Jr., 21, of Powhatan was apprehended yesterday afternoon 4 miles from where the shooting took place in a neighborhood off Huguenot Trail in central Powhatan.

Donald P. Malkemus Jr., 49, was fatally shot in the driveway of his parents’ home in the 3100 block of French Hill Drive, family members say.

Suzanne Malkemus, the victim’s mother, said her son had just dropped her off at home after a birthday party for his 13-year-old son.

“He told me on the way home, ‘The most important thing in my life are my sons,’ ” she painfully recalled yesterday. “He was a wonderful son and a wonderful father. I’m so sorry this had to happen.”

Police responded Friday at 9:49 p.m. to the report of a fatal shooting at the home where Woodfin was visiting his grandparents. When authorities arrived, they discovered the body of Malkemus, a Powhatan resident and owner of a tree-service business.

Relatives said there had been a brief exchange between Malkemus and Woodfin before Malkemus got in his truck to leave.

“There was just a disagreement and things got out of hand,” said William Douglas Malkemus, the victim’s brother. “I think David was just trying to scare him and something happened that wasn’t supposed to happen. I don’t think he meant to do this.”

Suzanne Ridout, Malkemus’ sister, said her brother and Woodfin had gotten along relatively well, but she said the nephew owed his uncle money. Woodfin had previously worked for Malkemus, she said.

“He was just a good, hardworking man,” Ridout said of her brother. “This doesn’t make any sense.”

After an almost 16-hour search, Powhatan sheriff’s deputies arrested Woodfin yesterday about 1:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of Red Lane Road. He had been detained at gunpoint by a homeowner who recognized Woodfin after he rang the doorbell to ask to use the phone.

“With the help of the citizens, this was brought to a successful end,” said Powhatan Chief Deputy Daniel K. Giardini, who added that this was the second slaying in Powhatan in two months. Before this summer, the county had gone about five years without a homicide, he said.

Woodfin had been missing since just after the shooting, when he walked back into the house, dropped off the shotgun and took some money before leaving on foot, Ridout said.

Woodfin is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony. He’s being held without bond pending a court appearance Wednesday.

“This is a tragedy in a lot of different ways,” said Mary Catherine Malkemus, another sister of the victim, adding that her brother leaves behind a wife and two sons.

“Any way you turn, there’s no good outcome. It just doesn’t get much worse than this,” she said.