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From the Office of Seth Edwards, District Attorney of the Second Prosecutorial District

Following a three week trial, a Beaufort County jury today convicted Valinda Leggett of Second Degree Murder in the July 3, 2020 killing of her husband, Greg Leggett. Superior Court Judge Alma Hinton sentenced Leggett to serve a minimum of 20 and maximum of 25 years in the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.

According to District Attorney Seth Edwards, Chief Assistant DA Tom Anglim and Assistant DA Alexandra Boney presented evidence that Leggett shot her husband of 20 years in their home on Mimosa Shores Road in Washington. The death was investigated by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, primarily by Investigators Kevin Sitterson, Jonathan Fowler, and Deputy Phillip Peaden. The State also presented evidence through civilian witnesses that just prior to his death, Greg Leggett had inherited the estate of his deceased parents who operated Leggett’s Cash and Carry for many years in Washington. These witnesses also testified that Greg Leggett had asked the defendant for a divorce a few days prior to the murder.

Valinda Leggett testified she acted in self-defense, asserting she was a victim of a violent domestic assault by her husband, Greg, who was highly intoxicated by alcohol. An argument ensued in the kitchen, at which time she shot her husband once in the upper chest area. Valinda Leggett gave multiple versions of the incident that were inconsistent with the crime scene, autopsy, and other witness testimony. According to Edwards, the jury by its verdict did not find the claim of self-defense to be credible.