After nearly five years of legal proceedings, Chivalry Alexander Moore, 39, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal 2019 killing of his father, 60-year-old Willie Frank Moore.
The verdict, delivered on November 22 by Superior Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart, concluded a week-long trial in which prosecutors presented damning evidence of premeditation and violence.
Assistant District Attorney Michael C. Wallace argued that Moore’s actions were deliberate, pointing to a chilling text message he sent to relatives before the crime, urging them to “say goodbye to Willie Moore.”
On January 8, 2019, prosecutors say Moore attacked his father at their home on Tomahawk Trail in Durham County. The assault involved a table leg and a broken golf club, and Willie Moore’s body bore wounds predominantly on the back of his head and body, indicating he was struck while defenseless.
Wallace testified that the violence stemmed from a dispute over money, as Willie Moore had asked his son to contribute toward household expenses, including the cost of staying in the home and using his car.
Moore admitted to killing his father but claimed self-defense, a claim refuted by evidence presented in court. Prosecutors revealed that Moore not only photographed the crime scene but also sent images of his father’s body to a colleague along with a message confessing to the killing. These images prompted law enforcement to respond to the scene, where Moore locked himself inside the home during a tense standoff.
The case’s harrowing details left jurors with little doubt about Moore’s intent, leading to the life sentence.
“This case is a devastating reminder of how domestic disputes can spiral into tragedy,” ADA Wallace stated after the sentencing. “Willie Moore’s life was taken in an act of senseless violence by someone he loved and trusted. Justice has now been served.”
Moore, now facing life behind bars, leaves behind a legacy of pain and unanswered questions for his family and the Durham community.
For more updates on this case and other local news, stay tuned to the Bull City Citizen.
