2 teens charged in island murder case

On Dec. 11, it was reported that two more South Carolina residents were accused of being involved in the murders of two people. The two residents were identified as an 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman, both from Lady’s Island.

The body of a 19-year-old Beaufort man was found on Dec. 2 near Simmons Road on St. Helena Island. The first man was found dead on Nov. 22 near F&B Road on Lady’s Island. Authorities said that he had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Two other teens had already been taken into custody. Both individuals, aged 16 and 18, were charged with two counts of murder and possession of weapon for the purpose of committing a violent crime.

Authorities secured warrants for the two other individuals after they were connected to the crimes. The woman turned herself over the same afternoon and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center. She was charged with two counts of murder. The 18-year-old had been taken into custody back on Dec. 1 for accessory after the fact of murder. He was served with two additional arrest warrants for murder.

Being accused of a violent crime can have major legal repercussions even before a person is convicted. Someone who is accused of violent crimes, including murder, may spend time behind bars before he or she ever has a chance to defend themselves. Because this is time a person cannot get back even if he or she is not convicted of the crime, a criminal defense attorney may work with an accused person to protect their rights. The attorney may launch an independent investigation into the case or challenge the methods and procedures the investigators used when looking for suspects.

Source: WSAV, “Additional charges in Lady’s Island murder investigation“, 12/11/2017

Source: Island Packet, “10 days after his uncle, Beaufort teen Chaz Blanding found killed — the same way“, Joan McDonough and Michael Olinger, 12/03/2017