Alice Wilson, a Philadelphia lesbian who stands accused of murdering her wife last year, maintains her innocence and is preparing for a September trial.
Wilson, 59, fatally shot her wife Eileen Adams, 63, last May during an altercation inside their Northeast Philadelphia residence. Wilson reportedly shot Adams in the chest and torso. Adams was pronounced dead inside her living room at 4:40 p.m. on May 27, 2023. A gun was recovered at the scene, according to court records.
The District Attorney’s Office charged Wilson with murder and possessing an instrument of a crime with intent to employ it criminally. Wilson has been incarcerated at a jail in Philadelphia since the incident.
According to court records, Wilson maintains her innocence. She’s requested a non-jury trial, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 3. Meanwhile, a Philadelphia judge recently appointed a private investigator to help Wilson in her quest to establish her innocence.
According to defense papers, Wilson shot Adams in self-defense during a struggle.
“[Wilson] called 911, remained on that call for an extended period of time while rendering CPR/first aid to [Adams], told police at least three times at the scene that she shot her in self-defense during a struggle and that [Adams] originally had the gun. And then [Wilson] gave a statement to homicide [detectives]. There was no proof of any intent to kill,” defense papers state.
Wilson was covered in blood due to rendering aid to Adams, according to defense papers.
Friends said the couple married in November 2021 and lived quietly on Kayford Circle in the Morrell Park section of Northeast Philadelphia. They had a pet cat who has since been placed in a new home.
Adams worked in the construction field and also owned a tavern. Adams owned the home the couple lived in, which was appraised at $248,500 at the time of Adams’ death, according to city records.
Gina A. Amoriello, an attorney for Wilson, said her client looks forward to her day in court.
“The defense stands by its position that Ms. Wilson acted in self-defense,” Amoriello said in an email. “Ms. Wilson looks forward to having her day in court so that she may move forward with her life.”
Jane Roh, a spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner, issued this statement: “We do not generally comment on live prosecutions outside of court hearings and filings. We will be prosecuting this defendant in a court of law, not through the media.”
Roh was asked if the DA’s Office will consult with relatives of Adams if a plea agreement is considered.
“The coordinators in the DA’s Victim Services Unit work to maintain contact with victims and witnesses to keep them informed about court hearings and other developments, such as potential guilty pleas, in keeping with the Crime Victims Act and DAO policy,” Roh said in an email.
Wilson’s murder trial is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 3 in Courtroom 907 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1315 Filbert St. in Center City. Judge J. Scott O’Keefe is scheduled to preside. The public is permitted to attend.