Uniontown man will spend 20 to 40 years in prison for killing girlfriend

A Uniontown man will serve 20 to 40 years in prison for the 2015 shooting death of his longtime girlfriend.

Terry Walker, 46, was charged with homicide in the Feb. 21 murder in South Union, Fayette County. He shot Mya Ann Grady, 36, twice in the head as she drove to work at Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin near Farmington.

Snowplow operators found Grady's body in a Hyundai Accent that was lodged against a guide rail and still running, police said. An autopsy determined Grady died of gunshots to the head and face.

In June, Walker pleaded no contest to a charge of third-degree homicide.

He was sentenced Monday before Fayette County Judge Nancy Vernon, her office confirmed.

Walker initially said he was illegally interrogated by police without an attorney present and that his blood sugar level was so high from diabetes complications that he didn't understand state troopers when they questioned him about the shooting.

Troopers testified during court proceedings that Walker gave three versions of his whereabouts when Grady was shot. He initially denied shooting Grady, police said, then said he merely loaned his car to Erika Harris. In his final statement, Walker said he was present at the time of the shooting, police said.

Grady's family told police Grady and Walker were in a “turbulent and abusive” relationship for seven years. Grady had tried to end the relationship shortly before her death and had begun dating Brandon Harris, her family told police.

Prosecution witness Erika Harris testified she was outside Grady's house in Uniontown the morning she was shot, looking for her husband. Harris testified she followed her husband to his Braddock Avenue home once he left Grady's residence, then left without confronting him.

Erika Harris testified she previously contacted Walker “because I wanted to let the other man know his girlfriend was dating my husband.” Walker told her on Feb. 20 that Grady's relationship with her estranged husband would end soon, Erika Harris testified.

“I asked him if they were going to break up,” Erika Harris testified. “(He said) he would take care of it.”

She testified she was “disturbed” but believed he was just “blowing off steam.”

Police testified that gunshot residue was detected on Walker's clothing and in the car he was seen driving near the shooting.

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com.