Walter's Story Timeline by Rodrigo Brandao

Creation of Walter's pulpwood business

brandaor — 2025-10-02 15:34:09 UTC

Unlike most African Americans, Walter made his own business while other African Americans didn't have a job.

Karen Kelly Relationship

brandaor — 2025-10-02 15:45:31 UTC

Walter (black man) was having a sexual relationship with Karen Kelly (white woman). At this time, interracial relationships were legally prohibited. This also ruined Walter's hardworking reputation.

Death of Ronda Morrison

brandaor — 2025-10-02 15:47:55 UTC

Ronda Morrison was a white, eighteen-year-old college student and popular in her community. She was murdered in the building, Monroe Cleaners, where she worked.

Broke up with Karen Kelly

brandaor — 2025-10-02 23:57:38 UTC

Walter had been trying to break up with her. The child custody proceeding and public scandal had taken a toll on her.

Introduction of Ralph Myers

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:04:44 UTC

Ralph Myers had a badly disfigured face and a lengthy criminal record. He was involved in dealing drugs and implicated in another crime, the murder of Vickie Lynn Pittman.

Framing of Walter by Myers

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:09:58 UTC

Myers was interrogated for the murder of Vickie Pittman, and admitted that he did kill her with Kelly, but also said that Walter was also there. Furthermore, he said to the officer that Walter was also responsible for the murder of Ronda Morrison.

Arrest of Walter McMillan

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:20:19 UTC

Sheriff Tate arrested Walter on charges of sodomy. While arresting Walter, Tate unleashed a multitude of racial slurs and threats.

Walter is arrested for capital murder

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:26:11 UTC

After the police heard two testimonies confirming one case, stating that Walter had killed Ronda, and the other did not specifically say that, but agreed with some of the things Myers said.

Walter's fish fy

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:30:03 UTC

On the same day of the murder of Ronda Morrison, Walter held a fish fry at his house. He and his family were selling food to passersby to raise money for their church.

Moved to death row

brandaor — 2025-10-03 00:32:24 UTC

Both Walter and Myers were moved to death row.