State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that following an eight-day trial, a St. Mary’s County jury convicted Michelina Desiree Goodwin, 46, of Great Mills, Maryland of murder in the second-degree, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and the unauthorized disposal of a body in reference to the homicide and dismemberment of a 50-year-old male victim.

On December 21, 2022, the victim’s family reported him missing and noted their last contact with him was on December 7, 2022. Several weeks later, the case developed into a homicide investigation. Goodwin was identified as the primary suspect.

On January 18, 2023, Goodwin told investigators that during an altercation at her residence, she retrieved a firearm that accidentally discharged and killed the victim, who also resided there. Goodwin admitted she dismembered the victim’s body post-mortem and led investigators to his remains in remote areas of St. Mary’s and Charles Counties.

“This horrifying crime shocked the community and caused unimaginable pain to the victim’s family,” said State’s Attorney Sterling. “Over eight days, the victim’s family and the jury heard the graphic circumstances surrounding the victim’s final moments and gruesome post-mortem mutilation. The Defendant’s gutless decisions deprived the family of a proper burial.”

Goodwin faces a maximum penalty of 61 years in prison. She will remain held without bond pending the sentencing hearing.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Donna C. Pettersen and Jeffrey R. Maylor prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

Sergeant Roger Schwarb of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and Trooper First Class Evan Ruggles of the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division were the lead investigators.

The Honorable Terrence J. McGann presided over the case.