ECSO report: Murder suspect repeatedly slammed victim's head into concrete

Witnesses of a graphic homicide Friday night told investigators the suspect beat the victim's head into concrete in front of a neighbor's house.

Patrick Miles Smith, 49, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Mary Ellen Williams, on Friday night.

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office arrest report says Smith refused to speak with the investigator once he was arrested, but neighbors claim they saw the assault that led to Williams' death.

Deputies found Williams lifeless at around 8 p.m. in the front yard of an Escambia County house, the address of which has been redacted from the arrest report.

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There was a large amount of blood pooling around Williams' head, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Four neighbors all said Williams has had problems in the past with her live-in boyfriend, Smith. All of the neighbors identified Smith as the man who they saw beat Williams and then leave her unconscious.

One of the witnesses, who claimed she was best friends with Williams, said she was in her front bedroom when she heard Williams' voice calling her name from outside. She said she opened her front door and saw Williams on her back with Smith holding her by the hair and beating her head repeatedly into the concrete ground.

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The witness said she grabbed a shovel and struck Smith with it to stop him from beating her friend, at which pointed he stood up and walked away, the report states.

The woman said she personally knows Smith and immediately identified him in a photo, according to the report.

Smith was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Saturday and is being held without bond. He is scheduled for arraignment March 2.

Emma Kennedy can be reached at ekennedy@pnj.com or 850-435-8680.