Domestic Violence Leads To Murder, Son Finds Body

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA –Domestic violence led to a 9mm gun shot to the head and murder in a marriage that lasted less than a year.

Walter Jerome Lowe, 52, was convicted of felony murder; aggravated assault, family violence; possession of a firearm or knife during a commission of a felony; possession of a firearm by a convict; family violence, battery; and cruelty to children in the third degree, Aug. 16, after a 10-day trial. Sentencing will be at a later date.

On July 20, 2017, Erica Powell’s 12-year-old son found her bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. Powell was in the bedroom of her Medlock Park home she shared with her children and husband, Lowe. Lowe and Powell had been married less than a year but the relationship was filled with domestic violence.

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At the time of the murder, Lowe was facing charges for attacking Powell in the same home on Aug. 19, 2015. Powell and Lowe reconciled after the 2015 attack and Powell allowed Lowe back into the marital home. The
violence continued at the hands of Lowe and Powell began telling family and friends that she wanted a divorce. Powell gave Lowe an ultimatum and asked that he stop the substance abuse, find employment, and be a better role model or else she would leave him. In the weeks leading up to the murder, Lowe was distraught over the thought of Powell leaving and he was observed crying and despondent.

After learning that Powell was offered a new job and planned to leave the marital home, Lowe told a neighbor “it’s all over, you’ll see.” On July 20, 2017, after Powell returned home from work, Lowe entered the bedroom he shared with Powell armed with a 9mm gun and shot Powell in the head. The evidence showed that he fired the gun twice.

At trial, Lowe testified that Powell aimed the gun at him during an argument, that he wrestled the gun away from her and accidentally discharged the weapon. However, during meticulous cross examination, Lowe could not explain why his version of events did not match the evidence.

Prior to jury selection, the defendant entered guilty pleas to the following charges in the indictment: battery, family violence; simple battery; hindering emergency telephone call; and obstruction of an officer.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department