FULLBRIGHT SENTENCED TO LIFE

January 27, 2012
Contact: [email protected]

(Anderson, SC). After four days of testimony, an Anderson County jury has found Matthew Fullbright guilty of two counts of Murder and two counts of Armed Robbery. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Fullbright to two consecutive life terms as well as two consecutive 30 year terms for the Armed Robbery charges.

On October 24, 2009, Homer and JoAnn Staton’s abandoned bloody car was found on Horton Road in Belton. Mr. Staton’s body was found the next day on Asaville School Road… Witness statements and cellphone records led Anderson County investigators to Matthew Fullbright. During Fullbright’s October 28, 2009 confession, Fullbright led investigators to Waterside Drive in Iva where he had dumped JoAnn Staton’s body.

The Staton’s bought and sold gold for a living and were known to carry a substantial amount of cash. Fullbright had lured the Staton’s to a secluded area in Iva, beat them to death with a hammer and then robbed them of their cash and jewelry. After disposing of the bodies, Fullbright drove the Staton’s bloody car to the intersection of 252 and 413 where he purchased drugs. He then abandoned the car on Horton Road. 

“The horrific and brutal crimes committed by Matthew Fullbright shows how dangerous drug addiction can be,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Fullbright’s need to steal and support his drug habit ultimately led to the death of two innocent people. It is my hope that today’s verdict and sentencing will allow the Staton family to have some closure knowing that Fullbright will remain in prison for the rest of his life.”