(WALHALLA, SC). An Oconee County jury has found Shane Adam Burdette guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in the death of James Evan Tyner in July of 2013. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Burdette to 25 years suspended to 15 years’ service on the Voluntary Manslaughter charge and 5 years on the weapons charge to be served consecutively.
On July 9, 2013, a 911 call came in to Oconee County dispatch stating that James Evan Tyner had been shot at a residence on Mt. Pleasant Road in Westminster, SC. Upon arrival, law enforcement found Mr. Tyner on the ground with a gunshot wound to the back of his neck.
The incident occurred at the home of the defendant’s parents. The victim was Burdette’s brother-in-law. Burdette was questioned and, following the waiver of his Miranda rights, gave several conflicting statements about the circumstances of the shooting. Witnesses at the scene testified that the defendant went into the house and came out with a shotgun as Tyner ran down the road to get away. Burdette then fired one shot into the ground, reloaded, and fired a second shot at the victim, hitting him in the neck. Tyner immediately fell to the ground.