Neighbors say CPD officer was dating the woman he’s accused of murdering

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Neighbors of the woman shot and killed Saturday night on Pratt Avenue said the Columbus police officer accused of the murder was dating the victim.

The victim is 44-year-old Kelly Levinsohn. Sgt. William Leonard Talley is who the Columbus Police Department believes is responsible for the murder.

Neighbors said they’ve seen him at Levinsohn’s house a lot.

“Different times of the day and for different periods of time. But I would say three to four times a week, for the past four or five months,” said Emily Griffin, who lives next door to Levinsohn. "Sometimes just for a few hours and sometimes [his car] would be there over night.

Other neighbors said Levinsohn was Talley’s girlfriend, and the two had been dating for a couple years.

“He was married,” said Clark Rowell, who lives across the street from Levinsohn.

The Columbus police chief confirmed Talley is married to a different woman. Property records show he and his wife have owned a home together in Columbus since 1998.

Rowell said the relationship between Levinsohn and Talley wasn’t always peaceful.

“One time they had a bad argument out there on the front porch," he said. "He went to the door, she opened it up and she wouldn’t let him in. She slammed the door and he slammed the door behind. He stomped on to his squad car and he left.”

Police said after leaving the scene, Talley was involved in a car wreck in Harris County, leaving him in the hospital in critical condition.

Talley will appear in Recorder’s Court after his release from the hospital. He’s been with CPD since 2002.

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