Bio

William Harry Meece was born on October 18, 1972. His mother left his father because of violence, and Meece was mostly raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother died, his mother became more involved in his life again.

Meece later lived in Lexington, Kentucky. He dropped out of Henry Clay High School but later earned a GED. He also attended Lexington Community College and the University of Kentucky. Before the murder case, he worked several jobs, including fast-food work, lawn care, pest control, taxi driving, and bank courier work.

Meece knew Margaret “Meg” Wellnitz Appleton, the surviving daughter of Elizabeth Wellnitz and stepdaughter of Joseph Wellnitz. Prosecutors said Meece and Appleton planned the murders so they could collect money from the family estate and insurance proceeds.

Before he was convicted in the Wellnitz murders, Meece was also convicted in a separate murder-for-hire case in Lexington. Prosecutors later used that conviction during sentencing to show his willingness to kill for money.

Murder Story

On February 26, 1993, Joseph Wellnitz, his wife Elizabeth “Beth” Wellnitz, and her son Dennis Wellnitz were shot to death inside their farmhouse in Columbia, Kentucky. Joseph was a veterinarian, Beth helped run the family clinic, and Dennis was a college student

The crime remained unsolved for almost ten years. Investigators found no clear sign of forced entry, which suggested that the killer may have been able to enter the home with help or access.

In February 2003, police arrested William Harry Meece and Margaret “Meg” Wellnitz Appleton, the surviving daughter of Beth Wellnitz and stepdaughter of Joseph Wellnitz. Prosecutors said Appleton helped plan the murders and that Meece carried out the shootings. The motive was money from inheritance and insurance proceeds.

According to court records, Meece entered the Wellnitz home, shot Joseph downstairs, then went upstairs and shot Beth and Dennis. Prosecutors said the murders happened during a robbery and burglary and were committed for profit. Appleton pleaded guilty in January 2005 to complicity charges and was sentenced to life without parole for at least 25 years.

Meece went to trial in 2006 after the case was moved to Warren County. On September 18, 2006, he was convicted of three counts of murder, first-degree burglary, and first-degree robbery. On November 9, 2006, Meece was sentenced to death for each of the three murders. He also received prison sentences for robbery and burglary.

Meece appealed his conviction and death sentences, but the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld them in 2011. Later appeals were also denied. William Harry Meece remains imprisoned on Kentucky death row.