The man who was arrested for the murder of Serena and Venus Williams’ oldest sister has been released only to reportedly be arrested once again. People magazine reported Tuesday that Robert Edward Maxfield was released from prison earlier this year after spending a total of almost 15 years behind bars for fatally shooting Yetunde Price in 2003.
However, the magazine reported it appeared Maxfield has been arrested again in Compton, Calif., Friday, July 28. Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials and jail records show he remains in custody following a parole violation, but the details of the violation are unclear.
(Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Luis Patiño, a spokesman from California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Maxfield’s release stems from Price’s case but could not state if it was the same one who was arrested Friday night. The magazine reported that both men share matching biographical information, though.
Still, Patiño denied reports, like from the Daily Mail, that Maxfield’s release earlier this year came sooner that expected because of “good behavior.”
In September 2003, Maxfield allegedly fired at Price’s SUV with an assault weapon as her boyfriend drove near a suspected drug house, L.A. County prosecutors have stated. Rolland Wormley, was not hit and prosecutors argued Maxfield, a Crip, was retaliating against who he thought was another gang member.
Three years later, he pled no contest in 2006 to voluntary manslaughter and the Los Angeles Times reported Maxfield was sentenced to 15 years in prison that April. Corrections officials told People magazine he was paroled in March.
Price, who left behind three children when she was murdered at 31, was a personal assistant to the Williams sisters. She also worked as a nurse and owned her own hair salon.
In 2016, the Williamses announced plans to open the Yetunde Price Resource Center, which opened its doors that November. It’s dedicated to helping victims of violence get the assistance they need.
Neither Venus or Serena have spoken out about Maxfield’s release.
