LIFE SENTENCE FOR DICKERSON

March 4, 2010
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(Anderson, SC). James Dickerson, 42, pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Homicide by Child Abuse which carries a sentence of 20 years to life. After reviewing the evidence and statements made by both the State and the defense, the Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Dickerson to life in prison. 

On November 28, 2008, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 215 W. Church Road in Anderson County in reference to a 7 year old male child who was in cardiac arrest. At the scene, EMS confirmed that the child had died and had numerous bruises and lacerations covering his body. According to EMS personnel, this Defendant stated that “he had whipped him the previous evening, but didn’t think he had whipped him that hard.” The Defendant eventually gave a written statement after being mirandized. A mop found at the scene and identified in the defendant’s statement as being used in the beating was sent to SLED for testing. Although the defendant’s DNA was found on the mop handle, no conclusive statement could be made regarding the vicitm’s DNA. Dr. Brett Woodard performed an autopsy on the child, ruling the cause of death as hemorrhagic shock due to massive blunt force trauma. In laymen’s terms, Dr. Woodard described that the force used on this child was consistent with the bumper of a car striking a human being at 35 mph. The injuries were consistent with a beating in which the child ended up in a defensive position possibly on the floor, which is where the child was found. The child was also found to have postmortem injuries. 

“There are no words to express how horrendous the injuries were to this little boy. The horror which was felt by his little brother as he watched the beating is heartbreaking. The memories of this incident will be with him forever. We are fortunate that the Judge agreed with the State that this crime deserved the maximum sentence.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.