Charleston man charged in Nitro Walmart shooting to stand trial April 5

A Charleston man accused of fatally shooting his former partner at a Nitro Walmart will be tried in April 2027. Eric Richmond, 54, appeared before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Dave Hardy for arraignment on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. He pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder count and three firearm-related counts, including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Judge Hardy set the trial for April 5, 2027.

The charges stem from April 13, when Kanawha County deputies said Richmond shot Misty Williams, 40, of Dunbar, inside her car during a 20-minute break from work. Investigators said they have video of Richmond inside the Walmart that morning, then at Williams's car, entering and exiting the passenger and driver sides several times. The footage also showed the car pulling forward and striking a parked vehicle. A 9mm handgun was found at Richmond's residence when police searched it after Williams's body was found.

Court records show a history of domestic charges. Magistrate Court records list four domestic battery charges against Richmond dismissed since 2016, one involving Williams filed April 6, 2023. Investigators said Richmond and Williams shared children.

Richmond was indicted on the murder count and three firearm counts. He waived a preliminary hearing earlier this year; in exchange, the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney's Office shared early discovery with Richmond's attorney, Mark McMillian. McMillian reserved the right to revisit bond. Richmond remains held at South Central Regional Jail without bail.