Salem woman pleads guilty to killing ex-boyfriend in Woodmansee Park

A Salem woman pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree manslaughter in a domestic violence incident after she ran over her former partner in the Woodmansee Park parking lot in 2022.

Branda Myshelle Myers, 31, was arrested in August 2022 after running over her ex-boyfriend Vince Edward Fouts while their three children were present. Myers and Fouts, 38, had met at Woodmansee Park to discuss a custody dispute.

As the argument escalated, “Myers ran over Fouts several times with her car,” according to a press release. Fouts died at the scene of the accident.

Myers will be sentenced on August 15. The maximum penalty for this crime, which is a felony, is 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Myers originally pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in September 2022.

Her change of confession on Friday was the result of a plea bargain and an amended indictment that said she “unlawfully and recklessly” caused Fout’s death. The original indictment described the death as intentional.

Myers appeared to break down in tears as Marion County District Court Judge Jennifer Gardiner asked her to enter her guilty plea. Myers confirmed that she “hit Vince with a car” and “caused his death.” The couple’s two oldest children participated in the hearing by telephone.

In June 2022, Myers filed a petition for sole custody of the children, then ages 9, 11 and 14, because they were in imminent danger. She explained that Fouts was “an unconvicted sex offender” who lived “with an unconvicted sex offender” as well as “a convicted sex offender.” Her petition was approved, but Fouts was granted two hours of supervised visits per week.

The day before the parking lot altercation, Myers filed a second petition for sole custody of the children. She described Fouts as “mentally unstable,” said he “refuses to change to protect our children,” and added that he “has sick fantasies.” She said she did not believe the children were safe with him. That petition was denied.

Since her arrest, she has been held without bail in the Marion County Jail.

Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at [email protected] or on X under @isabeldfunk

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