RIVERA PLEADS GUILTY TO LIFE

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Site Administrator

June 6, 2013

(Anderson, SC). Raymondeze Rivera was sentenced to life in prison today by the Honorable Lawton McIntosh for the murder of Kwana Burns in December of 2006. Rivera was convicted in 2008 for the murder of Asha Wiley and was tried in 2010 for the murder of Kwana Burns. The conviction in the 2010 case was overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

 

 

“Raymondeze Rivera is a violent and dangerous man who has shown no remorse for his crimes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “It is disappointing that a South Carolina Supreme Court poverturned Rivera’s previous death penalty conviction.  I am confident that if we took this case to trial again, we would secure another death penalty verdict.  Many factors, however, go in to the decision of whether or not to proceed with a new trial and our primary concern is what is best for the victim’s family.  After lengthy discussions with the family, we have mutually agreed that the emotional burden of a new trial would be too great and the best course is a guilty plea that ensures Rivera will never again be a free man.  It is my hope that today’s plea will help the family to continue to heal from the loss of Kwana Burns and keep them from having to ever again see the inside of a courtroom.” 

 

 

 

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ANDERSON JURY CONVICTS CLEMONS

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Site Administrator

May 15, 2013

(Anderson, SC). An Anderson County jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Andrew Clemons of molesting an 8-year old girl several times over a period of months in 2009 and 2010. Clemons was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, First Degree which carries a sentence of 25 years to life, as well as Lewd Act on a Minor which carries a sentence of up to 15 years. Both charges require that Clemons be listed on the Sex Offender Registry. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh issued a bench warrant for Clemons on Monday due to the defendant’s failure to appear in court for his trial. Because the defendant was not present, the sentence has been sealed and will be opened when the defendant is captured and returned to court. 

 

“Andrew Clemons’ depraved actions have caused incredible suffering for his victim and her family,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The emotional and psychological scars inflicted upon her are something no child should have to endure. The fact that Mr. Clemons absconded prevents this chapter in this little girl’s life from being closed. Please contact law enforcement if you have any information on the whereabouts of Andrew Clemons.”

 

***Law enforcement is actively seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Andrew Clemons. If you have information, please call the Anderson Police Department at 864-231-2277 or Crimestoppers at 864-231-7867.

 

 

 

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NIMMONS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Site Administrator

April 23, 2013

Anderson, SC.  Devin Michael Nimmons pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to 3 counts of Accessory before the Fact of a Felony and one count of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Nimmons to 15 years in prison on the Accessory charges and 5 years suspended to 5 years’ probation on the Conspiracy charge. The probation will follow the 15 year prison sentence.   

Nimmons and Christopher Brown were both charged in the armed robbery, burglary and kidnapping of a 79 year old retired veteran on Tidewater Lane in Anderson, SC in December of 2010. According to the victim, one man entered the home posing as someone conducting a survey for the army. A second man entered the home carrying a weapon and wearing a ski mask. The two then forced the victim into other areas of the house robbing him of cash and firearms.  A third defendant, Jacob Tubbs was later charged and convicted of Accessory after the Fact in connection with the crime. In a statement to law enforcement, Nimmons confessed to planning the crime but said that he did not actually participate.    

 

Nimmons also pled guilty to Conspiracy in an unrelated case of an attempted armed robbery of the Starlight Cinemas on December 23, 2010.

 

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ROBINSON SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Site Administrator

April 19, 2013

 

Anderson, SC. Charlie Tyler Robinson pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Robinson to 25 years in prison.

 

On July 18, 2011, 86-year-old Glenn Craft was killed during an armed robbery at his home in Belton, SC. Robinson was implicated in the crime and arrested the following day. Robinson is the second defendant in the case to plead guilty. Walter Chase Alley pled guilty in February of this year and was sentenced to 37 years. Alley had confessed to the shooting of Mr. Craft in statements given to law enforcement.

 

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COURT RULES IN STATE V. BONELLI

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Site Administrator

April 2, 2013

Walhalla, SC. A hearing was held today in Oconee General Sessions Court in the case of the State v. Nicholas Bonelli. Bonelli is charged with Murder in the November deaths of Sandra Myers and Clarine Smith. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox heard testimony from medical professionals and experts that the defendant suffers from mental and physical disabilities that render him unable to assist in his defense. The Judge found that the defendant was incompetent to stand trial and unlikely to become so in the foreseeable future. The Court ordered that judicial proceedings be commenced in the Probate Court to commit the defendant for hospitalization at the SC Department of Mental Health in Columbia. Judge Maddox also ordered that the charges remain pending to ensure that should the Department of Mental Health ever deem Mr. Bonelli to be competent, the matter would come back before the Court. 
 

“This was a tragic case where a family lost two completely innocent loved ones during a single violent afternoon.  The pain and loss they have suffered is immeasurable,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “While it is our goal to seek justice for the family of the victims, the defendant has been found incompetent and, under South Carolina law, we cannot proceed to trial.   However, the Court’s ruling today will ensure that  the defendant will remain in a secure facility so that he cannot cause further harm in our community.”      

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TEMPLE SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Site Administrator

March 21, 2013

 

Walhalla, SC. An Oconee County jury found Dan Lavert Temple guilty of drug charges today.  The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Temple to 10 years for Possession of Crack Cocaine, 3rd Offense and 1 year for Possession of Xanax, 2nd Offense. The Judge also revoked Temple’s probation from a previous sentence for an additional 5 years of jail time.  All sentences are to run consecutively.

 

On July 25th 2012, officers from the Seneca Police Department and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Town and Country Motel in Seneca.  The search warrant was based on several documented incidents of distribution of illegal drugs by the defendant from that location.  In executing the search warrant, officers uncovered a quantity of both crack cocaine and Xanax.  

 

Temple has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1989, including prior drug convictions, property crimes and voluntary manslaughter.

 

“Dan Temple has an extensive history of breaking the law,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “We are very pleased with today’s sentence.  Our community will be a much safer place for many years to come.”   

 

 

 

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WHITWORTH SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Site Administrator

February 28, 2013

 

(Walhalla, SC). Today, the Honorable Alexander Macaulay announced the sentence for Kenneth Whitworth who was tried in his absence and found guilty on Wednesday of Distribution of Methamphetamines, 3rd Offense.  The sentence had been sealed pending Whitworth’s appearance in court.   Judge Macaulay sentenced Whitworth to 30 years suspended on service of 25 years followed by 5 years of probation.  

 

On February 18, 2011 Kenneth Whitworth was arrested after an undercover operative for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office purchased a quantity of meth from the defendant out of his home.   Details of the transaction were captured on audio and video tape. 

 

Whitworth has an extensive prior criminal history that dates back to 1989.  Among his previous convictions are 2 drug charges and he most recently served a 5 year sentence for drugs beginning in 2006. 

 

“The defendant’s long criminal history clearly demonstrates that he is incapable of being a law abiding member of society,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Today’s sentence means he will spend the next 25 years in prison unable to bring any more drugs in to our community.  I especially want to thank law enforcement for their efforts in this case and bringing us the evidence needed to achieve this conviction.”

 

 

 

 

 

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RIVERA CONVICTION OVERTURNED

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Site Administrator

February 13, 2013

 

Anderson, SC. Today the South Carolina State Supreme Court reversed Raymondeze Rivera’s murder conviction and death sentence and remanded the case for a new trial.  The Court ruled that the trial Judge erred by refusing to allow the Defendant to exercise his constitutional right to testify at the trial of the case.  Rivera was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the murder of Kwana Burns, who was found in her home in December 2006.

 

“My heart goes out to the victim’s families,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “The facts surrounding this case are horrific and cry out for the death penalty. It is tragic that the families must be victimized all over again by having to undergo the rigors of another trial.  The Supreme Court’s decision today does not change the facts or evidence surrounding the case and I am confident that upon retrial, we will once again secure a conviction.”  

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ALLEY SENTENCED TO 37 YEARS

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Site Administrator

 

 February 5, 2013

 ANDERSON, SC. After jury selection and pretrial motions were heard, Walter Chase Alley plead guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Murder. After consideration of the State’s evidence and after hearing testimony from the defense, the Judge made a finding that the defendant was guilty but mentally ill.  The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Alley to 37 years in prison. Mr. Alley will be sent to the State Department of Mental Health prior to being sent to the SC Department of Corrections to serve his entire sentence.

On July 18, 2011, 86 year old Glenn Craft was shot to death in his home near Belton during a burglary. Alley turned himself in the following day and admitted to shooting Mr. Craft. Three others were also implicated in the murder and subsequently charged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ALLEY SENTENCED TO 37 YEARS

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Site Administrator

February 5, 2013

 ANDERSON, SC. After jury selection and pretrial motions were heard, Walter Chase Alley plead guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Murder. After consideration of the State’s evidence and after hearing testimony from the defense, the Judge made a finding that the defendant was guilty but mentally ill.  The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Alley to 37 years in prison. Mr. Alley will be sent to the State Department of Mental Health prior to being sent to the SC Department of Corrections to serve his entire sentence.

On July 18, 2011, 86 year old Glenn Craft was shot to death in his home near Belton during a burglary. Alley turned himself in the following day and admitted to shooting Mr. Craft. Three others were also implicated in the murder and subsequently charged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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