Walter McMillan Timeline- Andrew Barnard by Andrew Barnard

Walter opens his business (1970s)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-08 12:17:55 UTC

Some time in the 1970s, an African American man named Walter McMillan opened a tree-cutting business called Pulp.

Walter meets Karen Kelly (1980s)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-08 12:37:32 UTC

At some point in the 1980s, Walter met a woman named Karen Kelly at a Waffle House. In a few weeks, they ended up beginning a relationship, and Karen's husband found out.

Karen Kelly & Joe Kelly Custody Battle (1980s)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-08 12:42:50 UTC

After Joe found out about Karen's affair with Walter, they had a custody battle over their kids, and Walter was forced to go too. Due to this battle, the interracial relations between Walter and Karen were discovered by the public, and Walter began to represent something more threatening in the eyes of white people.

Ronda Morrison Murdered (November 1st, 1986)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 12:33:01 UTC

On November 1st, 1986, Ronda Morrison was found shot dead on the floor of Monroe Cleaners. The people were confused and terrified, and the search for the culprit began.

Ralph Myers Taken Into Questioning (1986)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 12:43:13 UTC

After claiming involvement with the murder of Vickie Pittman, Ralph Myers was taken into custody by the Police. Ralph Myers "admitted" to involvement in not only the Vickie Pittman murder, but also the Ronda Morrison murder, framing Walter as being involved in the murder as well.

Walter McMillan Arrested (June 7th, 1987)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 12:53:00 UTC

On June 7th, 1987, Sheriff Thomas Tate led an arrest of Walter McMillan for charges of sodomy. Upon denying both allegations of sodomy and murdering Ronda Morrison, Walter McMillan was locked up.

Bill Hooks Snitches (1987)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 18:08:45 UTC

Some time after Walter got arrested, police went to Jailhouse snitch Bill Hooks to "prove" that Walter murdered Ronda Morrison. Bill Hooks "confirmed" the story Ralph told, and Walter was charged.

Ralph and Walter Transferred to Death Row (August 1st, 1987)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 18:20:13 UTC

On August 1st, 1987, Ralph Myers, after trying to tell the truth to the police, being that his accusations were false, was transferred to Death Row, along with Walter McMillan.

Walter Trial Location Moved (October 1987)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 18:30:19 UTC

In October of 1987, Walter's lawyers convinced the judge to move the trial's location to somewhere else. However, the judge picked the worst possible place to move it to, being the conservative-dominated Baldwin County, which had an African American population of 9%.

Walter McMillan Convicted (August 1988)

barnarda8 — 2025-10-10 18:34:44 UTC

In August of 1988, Walter's trial was held, and after an absurd story from Ralph, Walter was convicted for the crime that he didn't commit. And thus, Walter was sent back to Death Row.