A Lexington man accused of driving a FedEx delivery truck through his ex-girlfriend's garage before chasing her into the street and stabbing her to death appeared in court Friday to face murder and burglary charges. Dario Williams, 35, was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center after the attack on Candice Lynn Mackie, who was pronounced dead following the Thursday morning assault on Valhalla Drive.
According to Lexington Herald-Leader, the incident happened around 10 a.m. Thursday in the 3300 block of Valhalla Drive. Court documents cited by the paper say Williams drove a FedEx truck through the home's garage to confront Mackie before stabbing her multiple times. She was taken to a hospital, where the Fayette County Coroner's Office pronounced her dead, according to police. The paper reported that Williams has not been confirmed as an actual FedEx truck driver, leaving how he came to be behind the wheel of the commercial vehicle unclear.
Lexington police told LEX 18 that Williams intentionally drove the truck into the garage specifically to force Mackie out of the residence, then chased her into the street where the fatal stabbing occurred. The station also reported that the house struck by the truck suffered significant damage, according to the Lexington Fire Department. FedEx said in a statement reported by the same station that it extends condolences to Mackie's family, that safety is the company's top priority, and that it is fully cooperating with the Lexington Police Department's investigation.
An Unserved Warrant and a Prior Assault
Perhaps the most troubling detail to emerge is that an active domestic violence arrest warrant had been issued for Williams several weeks before the fatal attack but had not yet been served by law enforcement, per court records reported by LEX 18. That warrant traces back to a separate incident in July, when Williams was accused of fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, and second-degree criminal mischief after allegedly punching a woman in the back while she lay on a couch on Valhalla Drive, court documents state. That victim had been in a romantic relationship with him for several years and has a child, according to the documents, and Williams fled the scene after that assault. Front-door damage from the July incident was estimated at less than $500, court documents indicate.
Williams is the father of Mackie's 5-year-old daughter, LEX 18 reported. Mackie's uncle, Emmit Murphy, discussed the former relationship with local stations, while Cedar News separately reported on the case. The two had previously lived together for a few months.
Not Guilty Plea, $1 Million Bond
Williams appeared virtually in Fayette District Court Friday and entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder-domestic violence, first-degree burglary, and fourth-degree assault, the same outlet reported. His bond has been set at $1 million, according to court records cited by the Lexington Herald-Leader. He faces additional charges tied to the July assault as well.
What a Murder Conviction Would Mean
Kentucky law includes an 85-percent parole rule for violent offenders. Federal law generally restricts firearm possession after qualifying misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions.
A Rise in Violence After a Quiet Stretch
The killing has renewed scrutiny of how domestic violence warrants are prioritized once issued, given that the warrant against Williams reportedly sat unserved for weeks before the fatal attack.
