Passenger Killed during Domestic Argument

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against a woman who shot a passenger in her ex-boyfriend’s car during an argument.  Kyeisha Alazae Dalton, 23, was found guilty-as-charged of Second Degree Murder and Reckless Endangerment.  Judge Hector Sanchez revoked Dalton’s bond and set the case for sentencing on January 12, 2024, where she faces fifteen to twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Hill and Danielle Jones explained to the jury that on July 18, 2022, Dalton had been in an argument with her ex-boyfriend, Tobias Billingsley.  The argument became physical, and Billingsley ripped off Dalton’s wig and took her phone before driving away.  Dalton pursued Billingsley in her vehicle, passed him, and boxed him in.  Billingsley exited his vehicle and broke Dalton’s phone.  Dalton tried to hit Billingsley with her car then turned her car around and fired a handgun into the rear passenger seat of Billingsley’s vehicle, killing the victim who was sitting in the backseat of the car.  Knoxville Police Department Det. Chas Terry interviewed Dalton who admitting firing the handgun and killing the victim.

“This is another unfortunate case where an argument quickly escalated to gun violence, and in this case, the person who paid the ultimate price wasn’t even part of the argument,” said DA Allen.

Second Degree Murder is a Class A felony that carries a punishment between fifteen and twenty-five years in prison.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kara Sowards aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.