A Deadly Deposition: Attorney Murdered At His Firm

Late last Friday, amid the jubilation stemming from the Supreme Court’s historic decision on same-sex marriage, a law firm turned into a crime scene after a lawyer was shot to death by a litigant at the conclusion of a deposition.

The victim, Mississippi attorney W. Ellis Pittman, was deposing Recardo Frazier, a contractor Pittman was suing for shoddy work performed at his home. Here are more details on what happened from the Clarion Ledger:

[Clarksdale mayor Bill] Luckett, who was representing Frazier, said he, the suspect, and Pittman were among those at Pittman’s office for a deposition. He said the day was over, and he was leaving the Pittman Law Offices when shots rang out behind him and people began fleeing the office on foot.

“Everybody was running and screaming,” Luckett said.

Why Better Billing Statements Can Improve Your Firm’s Finances—And Your Client Relationships

Outdated billing is costing law firms money. Discover how clear, modern billing practices boost profits, trust, and cash flow in 2025.

By The MyCase Team

Pittman was shot in the stomach, and he died before he could be airlifted for further emergency medical treatment. Luckett further commented as to the nature of the deposition itself, noting that it was supposed to be a “nonemotional situation,” as most depositions are. “Nobody had any iota of a clue that anything like this would happen, it was totally a shocker. Nobody knew he was armed, nobody knew he was mad.”

Frazier escaped the bloodbath at the scene, but later turned himself in. Frazier has since been charged with murder and for being a former felon in possession of a handgun. FOX13 News has more information on Frazier’s past crimes.

Pittman, a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, had been married for about a month at the time of his death. His brother was murdered just one year ago. “He was a worthy adversary as a litigator and I regarded him as a friend,” Mayor Luckett said.

We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences and sympathies to W. Ellis Pittman’s family, friends, and colleagues.