Boyfriend’s Yahoo Messages Lead to Fatal Confrontation

A 20-year-old Knox County woman has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting her boyfriend when he returned home from work Saturday evening. Dsani Badgett is accused of fatally shooting Stephen Morgan in their Weaver Hollow Way residence after discovering messages indicating he was cheating on her when she accessed his Yahoo account on her phone, according to an incident report from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office obtained by Law and Crime.

Deputies responded to the scene around 5:40 p.m. Saturday to find Badgett in the driveway “screaming for help,” authorities reported. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered Morgan on the living room floor with a gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. Badgett reportedly admitted to investigators that she had confronted Morgan about the alleged infidelity and discharged the weapon during an ensuing confrontation.

Premeditated Action Alleged by Authorities

The criminal complaint filed against Badgett details what investigators characterize as calculated actions leading up to the fatal shooting. According to police reports, after discovering the compromising messages, Badgett retrieved a firearm from the couple’s bedroom nightstand and waited on the couch for approximately an hour until Morgan returned home from work, demonstrating what prosecutors may argue shows premeditation consistent with the first-degree murder charge, according to WBIR.

When Morgan arrived home, Badgett confronted him about the messages while holding the gun, authorities said. The suspect reportedly told investigators she had “racked the gun several times to show him it was loaded” and made demands “regarding the situation of their relationship.” Law enforcement officials indicate that the situation escalated when Morgan allegedly attempted to grab the firearm from Badgett, at which point she discharged the weapon, striking him in the left hand and upper chest/armpit area.

Digital Evidence Central to Investigation

The case highlights the increasingly common role of digital communications as evidence in domestic violence incidents. According to Badgett’s statements to investigators, Morgan had been using her phone after his own device was broken, and she discovered the allegedly incriminating messages after he had logged into his Yahoo account on her device, as reported by WIVK.

While details of the specific messages have not been disclosed by authorities, multiple reports indicate that Badgett claimed the communications revealed Morgan was involved with another person. Some reports, including one from WATE, specifically mention that Badgett alleged Morgan was “cheating on her with another man,” though official court documents have not explicitly confirmed this detail.

Legal Proceedings Move Forward

Following her arrest, Badgett was booked into the Roger D. Wilson Detention Center early Sunday morning with bond set at $300,000. She faces a first-degree murder charge, which in Tennessee carries potential penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty if convicted, though prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek the death penalty in this case.

A bond hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, according to court records, where a judge will review the circumstances of the case and determine whether the current bond amount is appropriate or should be adjusted. The Knox County District Attorney’s Office has not yet released additional information regarding future court dates or potential additional charges that may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

Domestic Violence Resources Highlighted

The incident has prompted local advocacy groups to emphasize the availability of resources for those experiencing relationship difficulties or domestic conflicts. While not directly connected to this specific case, community organizations stress that assistance is available through various channels including the National Domestic Violence Hotline and local support services.

Law enforcement officials regularly encourage individuals experiencing relationship conflicts to seek assistance through appropriate channels rather than resorting to violence. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office maintains partnerships with several local organizations that provide counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency shelter services for those in volatile domestic situations.