On Oct. 31, a South Carolina man was arrested for allegedly murdering a man 12 days earlier. He was taken into custody at approximately 4 p.m. in Piedmont.
According to a representative with the U.S. Marshals Service, the defendant shot and killed a 27-year-old man on Green Street in Pelzer on Oct. 19. The gun used in the crime was reportedly a .380 handgun.
Media reports say the defendant was tracked down on the 300 block of Old Pelzer Road. Officers found him hiding in a shed behind a home. They surrounded the structure and ordered him to come out. When he did, he was placed under arrest and transported to a local jail for processing. He has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The U.S. Marshals Service was assisted in the operation by officers from the USMS Fugitive Task Force, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
South Carolina residents accused of violent crimes could face severe consequences if they are convicted. For example, defendants convicted of murder charges could be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison or the death penalty. Because the stakes are so high, murder defendants need to put forth a strong defense. A criminal defense attorney might work with a defendant to develop such a defense and fight the accusations. In some situations, the attorney may be able to get the charges dropped or win an acquittal at trial. In others, legal counsel may recommend negotiating a plea deal that lowers the charges, which could significantly reduce the penalties. For instance, pleading guilty to a voluntary manslaughter charge might help a defendant avoid the death penalty and receive a shorter prison sentence.
