September 16, 2014
(Anderson, SC). Shortly before opening arguments began today, Robert Rampolla pled guilty in Anderson General Sessions Court to shooting Theresa Williams in August of 2013. The Honorable Donald Hocker sentenced Rampolla to 10 years for Voluntary Manslaughter and 5 years for the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Due to the advanced age of the defendant, Judge Hocker stated that even a 10-year sentence was essentially a death sentence. Rampolla is 77 years old.
On August 7th of 2013, Robert Rampolla and his girlfriend, Theresa Williams, were sitting in his van in the parking lot of the Little General on Anderson Street. A witness, who knew both Rampolla and Ms. Williams, heard two shots while she was inside the Little General. When the witness went outside, she saw Rampolla and Ms. Williams, both of whom she was familiar with, in Mr. Rampolla’s van. The witness then called 911. When EMS and law enforcement arrived, they found the defendant had shot himself in the face and Theresa Williams had died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Rampolla confessed to his actions to officers prior to his arrest.