Rockwall County jury sentences man to life in prison for murdering his wife

Book-in photo of Corey Wayne Griffin

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (Aug. 12, 2024) On Monday, August 12, 2024, a Rockwall County jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Corey Wayne Griffin, 38, for killing his wife in her Royse City home in February of 2023.  After additional testimony, that same jury later sentenced Griffin to life in prison and a $10,000 fine, the maximum allowable punishment.

Jurors were presented evidence from twenty-five State’s witnesses during the over week-long jury trial.  They heard that, only weeks before her death, Chelsie Griffin, age 37, had filed for divorce from the defendant to whom she had been married for 17 years.  A harassment charge against the defendant had been filed and a temporary restraining order was in effect on the day of the murder.  On February 16, 2023 at approximately 7:49 a.m., a neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the defendant entering the home he had previously shared with Ms. Griffin and their two children before a court order required him to vacate.  Chelsea Griffin’s brother, Brian Bishop, testified he was speaking with his sister on the phone as she arrived home at approximately 11:59 a.m., and he further described hearing her scream as she entered the residence before their call was suddenly disconnected.  Mr. Bishop immediately called 911, and Royse City police officers responded, missing the defendant fleeing the scene by less than one minute.  Police discovered Ms. Griffin’s bloody, battered and lifeless body on her kitchen floor. Two hours later, Defendant was arrested by Rockwall police officers in the parking lot of Chandler’s Landing marina.  The defendant, covered with the victim’s blood, was found asleep with the murder weapon in his lap and the garage door opener he used to enter Ms. Griffin’s home still in his hand.

Multiple witnesses testified that Ms. Griffin had endured years of infidelity and psychological and physical abuse from the defendant before separating from him in late November of 2022.  Defendant admitted in court testimony to pouring bleach over his wife’s clothes, ripping the television off the wall, overturning furniture, and slashing artwork on the day of the murder.  Testimony from the Medical Examiner detailed extensive trauma to Ms. Griffin’s body, including blunt force trauma to her face and head, evidence that she was strangled, and a gunshot wound behind her right ear.

Kerri New, lead prosecutor and Chief of the Rockwall County District Attorney’s Office Family Violence Division, expressed her gratitude for a community that continues to be willing to stand up for victims of Family Violence.  “What this jury heard and saw will not soon leave them. Through his act of tremendous evil, the defendant sent shockwaves into our community that still reverberate even eighteen months later.”

“This case highlights how dangerous domestic violence abusers can be and how important it is intervene early before the violence escalates,” said Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper.  “If you or someone you know needs help, please contact law enforcement and/or community resources like Women in Need or the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.”

  murder, Rockwall County, Royse City, sentenced to life