Crime
published : 2023-11-06
Texas Man's Broken Window Triggers a Deadly Pursuit
'He took matters into his own hands,' Texas prosecutors said about Allen Dale Edwards.
A Texas man's anger over a broken window escalated into a deadly chase that ended in tragedy.
Allen Dale Edwards, 44, was sentenced to 46 years in prison for the murder of his ex-wife Keyanna Gardiner.
Prosecutors revealed that Edwards chased Gardiner and her girlfriend at high speeds down the highway after they broke his window.
In a horrific turn of events, Edwards shot Gardiner, killing her instantly, and punched her girlfriend so hard that she required reconstructive surgery.
The incident occurred in March 2016, but Edwards filed to appeal the murder conviction.
Under Texas law, he will only be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
Meanwhile, Samone Massey, the girlfriend of the victim, expressed her determination to ensure that Edwards serves his full sentence.
She emphasized that while she regrets breaking the window, it was Edwards who committed the heinous act of taking a life.
The couple, who had two children together, had been living apart for three years prior to the tragedy.
Their acrimonious relationship was worsened by ongoing custody disputes.
District Attorney Kim Ogg noted that domestic violence can often escalate into murder, and in this case, there was no justification for Gardiner's death.
Despite previous conflicts between the couple, including Gardiner's trespassing on Edwards' property, the incident on that fateful March night was the deadliest.
A heated exchange of calls and texts between the parties led to Massey breaking the window in a fit of anger.
Edwards responded by grabbing a handgun and giving chase.
The pursuit unfolded on the highway, ending tragically when Edwards fired multiple shots at the victims' car, killing Gardiner and injuring Massey.
The chaos further escalated when another vehicle crashed into the women's car, resulting in the death of a good Samaritan who was directing traffic at the scene.
Edwards was immediately charged and taken into custody.
During his trial, it was revealed that he admitted to chasing the victims and acknowledged that he should have let law enforcement handle the situation.
While Edwards pleaded not guilty, the jury found him guilty of murder.
In the aftermath, Massey remembers Gardiner as a wonderful, caring person who simply wanted to escape their tumultuous relationship and live a normal life.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from unresolved domestic conflicts.
