Norfolk “Fuzzy” Best found guilty again in 1991 murders of Whiteville couple
BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A jury has found Norfolk “Fuzzy” Best guilty again in the 1991 killings of an elderly Whiteville couple, more than three decades after he was originally convicted and sentenced to death.
Best, 72, was found guilty Monday of two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to the Office of the Fifteenth Prosecutorial District.
The case stems from the deaths of Leslie and Gertrude Baldwin, who were found dead inside their Whiteville home on Dec. 3, 1991. Gertrude Baldwin was 79 and Leslie Baldwin was 82.
According to prosecutors, Best had been hired to do yard work at the Baldwins’ home on Nov. 30, 1991, the day authorities say the killings occurred.
Investigators said Best’s fingerprint was found on a weapon near Leslie Baldwin’s body. DNA evidence collected as part of the investigation into Gertrude Baldwin’s sexual assault was later found to match Best’s DNA profile.
Best was originally arrested in December 1991. The case was moved from Columbus County to Bladen County for trial because of publicity surrounding the killings.
A Bladen County jury convicted Best in 1993, and he was sentenced to death.
Years later, Best maintained his innocence and requested additional DNA testing. Prosecutors said testing conducted in 2015 produced a stronger DNA match to Best using improved technology.
His original convictions were ultimately overturned by the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2020 after evidence that had not been provided to his defense attorneys came to light.
Court records previously cited evidence discovered in boxes stored in the attic of Whiteville City Hall, including investigative material that had not been turned over to Best’s defense team.
The evidence included negative blood testing from Best’s home and motel room. Court records also indicated that an examiner’s original notes assessed the fingerprint on the knife as having no comparative value before it was later identified as Best’s.
The state Supreme Court ruled that the undisclosed evidence warranted a new trial.
Jury selection for Best’s retrial began Aug. 17 in Bladen County Superior Court. Prosecutors were able to bring witnesses and investigators back to testify more than 30 years after the original case.
District Attorney Jon David prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Valerie Pearce. David credited the law enforcement officers and agents who returned to testify during the retrial.
“Without them, justice would not have been possible,” David said in a news release.
Resident Superior Court Judge Ashley Gore sentenced Best to three consecutive life sentences plus 12 years under the state’s sentencing guidelines in effect at the time of the crimes, according to prosecutors.
The case marks the latest chapter in a legal battle that has spanned more than 35 years.
