JUST IN: Verdict in for man accused of murdering uncle in watermelon field

There was no murder conviction for William Harcum III on Thursday. The 31-year-old, who goes by Trey, was facing first and second degree murder charges for killing his uncle, 62-year-old Lee Harcum. It all happened on their family’s Mardela Springs watermelon field.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello says, “We see how they arrived at that. That was definitely a possibility. We believed it was much more egregious.”

Trey was convicted of voluntary man-slaughter as well as first and second degree assault.

Maciarello continues, “We were able to achieve some justice for Lee Harcum’s widow.”  

On the stand Thursday, Trey admitted to hitting his uncle over the head with a tractor pin, but noted he never intended to kill him. Trey says he was feared for his life.

According to witnesses, his uncle hit him in the back of the head with a watermelon knocking him unconscious. When Trey woke up, he says the two got into a physical fight until it was broken up by other farmers on the field.

After they separated, Trey says his uncle told him he was “a dead man.” Trey says at that moment he was scared because his uncle had a gun in his truck. Trey testified that he went to his own truck, drove to get a tractor pin, and then drove back towards his uncle.

Trey apparently crashed into some nearby woods. He got out of his truck and began walking, that’s when he says he hit his uncle with that piece of farming equipment, ultimately killing him.

Maciarello continues, “It’s just very tragic.”  

The investigator that interviewed Trey after the incident said he never mentioned the gun. A clinical psychologist who testified Thursday claims that when Trey was hit with the watermelon he suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. That injury can result in memory loss, confusion, and the inability to make logical decisions. Trey is facing a maximum of ten years in jail. 

A pre-sentencing investigation has been ordered.