A woman who had been released on bond for multiple violent charges has pleaded guilty to murdering her wife in a case that prosecutors say underscores the deadly trajectory of unchecked domestic violence.
According to WSB-TV 2 Atlanta, Shakyia Perkins, who was facing prior charges of aggravated assault, arson, and making terroristic threats, fatally shot her wife, Cornisha Perkins, in the head outside their shared home in Nov. 2022.
The chilling moment was captured on surveillance video, which prosecutors say shows Shekia retrieving a handgun moments before pulling the trigger.
“She should not have been near her,” said Travis Thomas, a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County’s Domestic Violence Division.
At the time of the shooting, Shekia was out on $70,000 bond with strict conditions, including staying at least 200 yards away from Cornisha. But according to authorities, she repeatedly violated those terms.
The relationship between the two women had reportedly been volatile for months. Prosecutors said Shekia had previously tried to run Cornisha off the road and had set her Jeep on fire in the driveway. Despite these alarming incidents, the couple remained entangled in what Thomas described as a dangerous and escalating pattern of abuse.
Last month, Shekia Perkins pleaded guilty to malice murder and other charges as part of a plea deal. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Prosecutors say she admitted to everything once confronted with the surveillance footage.
“This was a toxic relationship that both families wish had ended sooner,” said a statement from the defense. “Unfortunately, it didn’t.”
District Attorney Fani Willis and her office have reiterated the importance of recognizing and escaping cycles of abuse before they turn fatal.
Thomas, a former Army officer who served two tours in Iraq, now dedicates his career to domestic violence prosecution and urges victims to seek help through the many local organizations available.
“Sadly, some victims stay, hoping things will change. But the violence often escalates,” Thomas said.
