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On his way to buy drugs, he killed his taxi driver. His fiancee used a secret cell phone to help cops get a confession.

danville police
Source: MEGA; Danville police

Feb. 16 2022, Published 9:08 a.m. ET

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A Virginia man killed his cab driver on his way to buy some drugs. Now, he heads to prison for decades.

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This month, Danville Circuit Court Judge James Reynolds sentenced James Fultz IV to life in prison for the stabbing death of Wendy Harris­. Fultz was found guilty and convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and robbery after 25 minutes of deliberation.

On Jan. 10, 2021, officers and first responders arrived at the 500 Block of Gay Street in Danville, Virginia, to find Harris’ body behind the wheel with lacerations on her head and neck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

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According to prosecutors, Fultz wanted to purchase some drugs and had called for a taxi. Accordingly, the 51-year-old cab driver was dispatched to the defendant’s location. During the fare, a dispute about money soon ensued between the duo, which led to Harris’ violent death. Then, the defendant fled the scene.

Fultz and the victim had no known connection before the trip.

Investigators immediately set a trap for Fultz with the cooperation of his fiancé. While on her way to pick up the Fultz, they planted a cell phone in her car that provided audio recordings of the defendant claiming to have killed Harris earlier in the day.

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“Listen, I killed someone tonight. I killed someone tonight,” said Fultz to his fiancé in her car, according to Danville Register & Bee.

Later, investigators tracked Fultz to a location on Temple Avenue after a foot chase and arrested him.

The 48-year-old defendant expressed remorse for his actions to the victim's family.

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Fultz was known to law enforcement officials after he was identified as the individual who robbed Carter’s Quick Shoppe on 3103 West Main Street on Dec. 27, 2020. An employee of the store, Christie Morris, testified the defendant robbed the store a few hours after it opened its doors for business. Fultz stole $250 and some lottery tickets, reported WBDJ.

He was sentenced to additional 50 years in prison for the robbery charge, with 40 years suspended.

According to Virginia law, Fultz will be eligible for geriatric parole after serving 17 years.

danville police
Source: MEGA; Danville police
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