10th Circuit Solicitor

September 18, 2014

(Anderson, SC) . Following a day of pre-trial motions on Wednesday and in the midst of the trial, Daniel Campbell pled guilty to one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct, Third Degree with a Minor. The Honorable Donald Hocker sentenced Campbell to 10 years suspended to 5 years in prison with 2 years’ probation to follow. Campbell will be required to register as a sex offender.  

Between March 29th and April 7th of 2013, Campbell took a six year-old child into a storage shed and locked the door. The defendant then began to touch the child on the outside of her clothing and exposed himself to her. Another child was outside the shed and, although unable to enter, was able to see what happened through a crack in the door. Both children testified during pre-trial hearings and again during the trial. Campbell confessed to law enforcement.  

“Both the victim and the witness in this horrible case have been extremely brave throughout the entire investigation and court process,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The defendant’s crime was a despicable act. Thanks to the bravery of these two young girls, he will now have to accept responsibility for his actions.” 

(ANDERSON, SC). In Anderson General Sessions Court today the Honorable D. Garrison Hill sentenced Robert John Hurl on multiple charges related to the murder last July of Hurl’s estranged wife. Hurl pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 40 years for murder, 30 years each on two counts of attempted murder and 10 years for unlawful conduct towards a child. All sentences are to be served concurrently. 

On July 19, 2013, Brenda Hurl went to the home where Robert Hurl was staying to pick up the couple’s 10 year old son. An argument ensued and the child ran upstairs. The owner of the home, a friend and co-worker of the defendant’s, went downstairs to try to intervene. Hurl then shot Brenda Hurl multiple times in the head. James Jody Jones was also shot multiple times and taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for surgery. He did survive the shooting. Hurl also shot at Jones’ girlfriend but she was uninjured. Brenda Hurl was pronounced dead at the scene. Hurl later gave a video statement to law enforcement admitting to the murder.  

“Robert Hurl violently murdered not only his estranged wife, but the mother of his own child.  His actions have left that child without a mother and inflicted great emotional trauma which no child should have to endure,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Our prayers are with the child and the other victims in this case as they recover from an incrediblyvicious crime.”

(Walhalla, SC). An Oconee County jury found 17 year-old Laquavius “Quay” Cleveland guilty today of Attempted Murder and weapons charges. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Cleveland to 22 years in prison on the Attempted Murder charge with 5 years consecutive on the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime charge.  

In July of 2013, the defendant and the victim, the defendant’s cousin, met at Cleveland’s house to discuss the purchase of a handgun and some marijuana by the defendant. The defendant got in the car with the victim to examine the gun. After looking at the gun, Cleveland got out of the car and went to the back yard to test fire the weapon. Cleveland returned the gun to the victim and then entered the house and armed himself with a knife. When he returned to the car, Cleveland began stabbing his cousin. The victim was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital where he remained for four days due to the multiple life-threatening stab wounds he received. The defendant fled the scene but was arrested later the same night. 

“The reckless actions of Laquavius Cleveland nearly resulted in the death of his cousin,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “While the defendant was 16 at the time, he committed a serious and violent crime that was deserving of today’s verdict and sentence.  Fortunately, the victim did survive and we pray for his continued recovery.” 

(Anderson, SC). DeAngelo Sanchez Gantt pleaded guilty in an Alford plea today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter following jury selection and motion hearings that were conducted on Monday. The Honorable J. Mark Hayes, II, sentenced Gantt to 25 years suspended to 12 years in prison with 5 years of probation to follow. By pleading under North Carolina. v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970), although Gantt does not admit to guilt, he does concede that the State has sufficient evidence to convict.  

On February 16, 2012, Redmond Donald was found lying on his back at Kennedy and E. Hampton St. in Anderson. Donald had been shot 5 times and died at the scene.  

“The evidence in this case fully supports today’s guilty plea,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “This plea and the sentence handed down by Judge Hayes takes a violent man off the streets of our community and ensures he will spend more than a decade in prison.”

(Anderson, SC). DeAngelo Sanchez Gantt pleaded guilty in an Alford plea today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter following jury selection and motion hearings that were conducted on Monday. The Honorable J. Mark Hayes, II, sentenced Gantt to 25 years suspended to 12 years in prison with 5 years of probation to follow. By pleading under North Carolina. v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970), although Gantt does not admit to guilt, he does concede that the State has sufficient evidence to convict.  

On February 16, 2012, Redmond Donald was found lying on his back at Kennedy and E. Hampton St. in Anderson. Donald had been shot 5 times and died at the scene.  

“The evidence in this case fully supports today’s guilty plea,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “This plea and the sentence handed down by Judge Hayes takes a violent man off the streets of our community and ensures he will spend more than a decade in prison.”

(Anderson, SC). Jamal Watt was returned to Anderson General Sessions Court today for sentencing on Attempted Murder, Assault & Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest. Watt had been convicted of the charges on June 18th but had failed to return to court. The Honorable Edward Welmaker sentenced Watt at that time but sealed the sentence until the defendant was taken into custody. Law enforcement apprehended Watt in Seneca on June 27, 2014 and returned him to the Anderson County Detention Center. The Honorable Cordell Maddox read the sentence today which was issued by Judge Welmaker. Watt was sentenced to 135 months in prison.  

The incident for which Watt was sentenced took place on February 16, 2013 at T. J. Whispers in Anderson, SC.

(Anderson, SC). Jamal Watt was convicted on Wednesday in Anderson General Sessions Court of Attempted Murder, Assault & Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest. Although the Honorable Edward Welmaker sentenced Watt, the sentence will remain sealed until Watt is taken into custody. Watt attended court Monday morning but failed to attend the balance of the trial.

On February 16, 2013, Watt and another customer at TJ Whispers fought following a misunderstanding between the two. The victim was told to leave the nightclub and he and his fiancée went next door to Andrews nightclub. Later, deputies were called to TJ Whispers on an unrelated matter. As the deputies were attempting to leave the scene, Watt left TJ Whispers. At approximately the same time, the victim left Andrews. The defendant engaged the victim in a verbal altercation during which the defendant pulled out a pistol and fired it. One round struck the door of TJ Whispers next to one of the deputies who was struck from the debris from the shot but was not injured. Officers on the scene told everyone to lie down on the ground to allow them to search for any weapons. Watt jumped up and ran away. He was eventually found in a dumpster behind Red Lobster. He later showed deputies where he had tossed the gun.  

“The evidence in this case and the actions of the defendant clearly supported today’s guilty verdict,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Mr. Watt’s violent actions could have easily led to the loss of the victim’s life or the life of any of the people in the area that night.  It is my hope that law enforcement can quickly locate and apprehend Mr. Watt before he presents any further danger to our community and I encourage anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement immediately.”

(Anderson, SC). Sandtario D. Poole pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Armed Robbery and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Poole to 15 years for Armed Robbery and 5 years (concurrent) for the Weapon charge.

On October 14, 2013, the defendant entered the Stop-A-Minit on Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson armed with a knife. Poole flashed the knife at the cashier and demanded money. After receiving the cash, he exited the store and fled. The defendant was identified by a photo line-up, video surveillance from the store and a fingerprint found at the scene. Poole confessed to the crime after being arrested.  

“Thanks to the great work done by local law enforcement in this case, the defendant was quickly identified and arrested,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “This evidence also enabled our office to successfully secure today’s guilty plea and substantial prison sentence for a violent criminal.   I want to personally thank law enforcement for the work they did on this case and for all that they continue to do for our community.”