WMC Action News
June 5, 2014
A jury found James Willie guilty in the murder of Thomas Schlender, who was killed in Panola County, Miss. in 2012.
Thomas Schlender of Nebraska was found shot in his car in the median of Interstate 55 in Panola County near Pope.
Known as the “roadside killer,” Willie is also accused of shooting Lori Ann Carswell in Tunica County to death a few days after killing Schlender. There was a mistrial in Carswell’s case weeks ago.
A gun and bullet casing belonging to Willie were found to match the evidence in the roadside killings. Investigators believe robbery was the motive behind both shootings.
Willie received life in prison with a possibility for parole.