Delaware County woman recalls events leading to husband's fatal 2022 shooting

MUNCIE, Ind. — A rural Daleville woman this week recounted the events that preceded her husband's fatal shooting, nearly two years ago, at a pioneer cemetery in southwestern Delaware County.

Alexander Thomas Eugene Geesy, now 20, of Anderson, is on trial in Delaware Circuit Court 5, charged with murder and obstruction of justice in the slaying — on July 22, 2022 — of William Randall Coomer Jr.

Delaware County sheriff's deputies said Coomer, 38, was fatally shot — in the back — during a confrontation in Sharp Cemetery, along Delaware County Road 500 West north of the Delaware-Henry County line.

Coomer's wife testified in court Tuesday that shortly before the shooting, two vehicles containing what she assumed were young people bound for the nearby cemetery had driven past her own car, in front of the Coomer residence, at a high rate of speed.

The vehicles' occupants shouted at her, Stephanie Coomer added, and at least one also displayed an obscene gesture.

The witness, who had been retrieving letters from her mailbox, said that when she pulled alongside her family's home, her husband, who had heard the commotion, asked her what had happened.

William Randall Coomer Jr., known to his family and friends by his middle name, was leaving their home for a meeting related to the family's tree-trimming business and indicated he might stop by the cemetery, apparently intending to talk to the occupants of the two vehicles about their conduct and reckless driving.

Stephanie Coomer said that when she was unable to reach her husband by phone a short time later, she went to the cemetery and found him mortally wounded, face down on the ground not far from the road. She said she also saw the two vehicles fleeing the area.

More: Teen will claim self defense in fatal cemetery shooting

Jurors on Monday heard a recording of Stephanie Coomer's frantic call to 911 dispatchers and a video from a Delaware County sheriff's deputy's body camera, that documented efforts — by both Coomer and the deputy — to resuscitate the shooting victim by performing CPR.

The victim was pronounced dead soon after emergency medical personnel arrived.

Forensic pathologist Jolene Clouse testified Tuesday that the bullet that killed William Coomer struck him in the back and exited through his chest.

Stephanie Coomer called her husband, a Marine veteran of the Iraq War, "the kindest person I ever met."

"He always gave someone the benefit of the doubt," she said.

In his opening remarks on Monday, defense attorney Sam Beasley said a conflict in the cemetery between William Randall Coomer and his client's brother, Ryan Joseph Geesy, had turned violent before the shooting.

Beasley said Alexander Geesy was frightened — reportedly fearing Coomer might be walking to his vehicle to retrieve a firearm — when he fired his own weapon.

Beasley and co-counsel Carman Malone have suggested their client acted in self-defense.

Deputy prosecutor Andrew Ramirez in his opening statement maintained Geesy had committed murder, saying the victim was walking away from the dispute when he was shot.

Ramirez also said that after Geesy fired the first of four gunshots, Coomer changed the direction he was headed and was no longer approaching his vehicle when he was hit by the fatal shot.

The week's trial, presided over by Judge Thomas Cannon Jr., is expected to conclude as soon as Thursday.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Delaware County woman recalls events leading to husband's fatal 2022 shooting