On Sept. 3, Alice M. Wilson was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the shooting death of her wife inside their Northeast Philadelphia home last year.
Wilson, 59, fatally shot her wife Eileen Adams, 63, in May 2023 after an altercation involving a gun. According to defense papers, Wilson acted in self defense. But the District Attorney’s Office charged her with murder.
Common Pleas Judge J. Scott O’Keefe presided over Wilson’s one-day, non-jury trial. He announced his verdict after hearing testimony from several witnesses, including a relative of Adams and a forensic specialist.
Wilson didn’t testify during her trial.
Voluntary manslaughter is a felony and Wilson faces a lengthy prison term when sentenced by O’Keefe in November. Wilson also was found guilty of possessing an instrument of a crime.
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.
According to court records, Wilson maintained her innocence and said she acted 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 was employed as director of respiratory therapy at Kindred Hospital 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.
Dustin Slaughter, a spokesperson for the D.A’s Office, declined to comment for this story.
Gina A. Amoriello, an attorney for Wilson, issued this statement: “From the outset, Ms. Wilson’s defense was and remains grounded in self-defense, as established by her initial call to 911. That she was found not guilty of murder is a recognition that the case at a minimum was overcharged. Sentencing in November for voluntary manslaughter will allow Ms. Wilson to plan her future and move on from this tragic event with more certainty. She will then be able to consider her appeal options in light of her well-founded self-defense claim.”
Wilson’s sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 7 in Room 907 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1315 Filbert St. She remains incarcerated at a city jail in Northeast Philadelphia.
