Wilbern Carlos Springs
Wilbern Carlos Springs, 50, of Claremont, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Yolanda Lee Burrell, District Attorney Scott Reilly’s Office said in a news release. Springs would’ve gone to trial on Tuesday if he had not pleaded to the charge in Catawba County Superior Court on Friday.
Springs was sentenced to spend 30 years to 37 years in prison by Superior Court Judge Clifton H. Smith, the district attorney’s office said.
Burrell was stabbed multiple times at the home she shared with Springs on Deal Road in Claremont on Jan. 6, 2024. The district attorney’s office said the couple had a history of domestic violence dating back to 2011. Protective orders were previously taken out against Springs, and he was banned from the home in the past.
Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were called to Burrell’s home on the 4000 block of Deal Road on Jan. 6, 2024. Springs and Burrell’s daughter called 911 and said her father was standing in the doorway with a hunter’s knife in his hand, the district attorney’s office said.
The daughter also told dispatchers that Springs left the house, rummaged through Burrell’s car and returned to the house. Springs was seen through a window with a handgun when deputies arrived at the scene
Springs stayed in the house during a standoff with the sheriff’s office for more than an hour. During that standoff, Springs called Burrell’s mother. Springs told Burrell’s mother he killed Burrell and apologized, the district attorney’s office said.
According to the district attorney’s office, Springs said to a deputy during the standoff, “Get my daughter out of here. Just kill me. I want to die,” and, “I killed her. She is dead.”
Catawba County’s Special Tactics and Response team forced their way into the residence after learning there was a body inside.
The deputies found Burrell on the floor in the master bedroom. Springs was sitting next to Burrell’s body. Springs had slit his own wrists.
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