10th Circuit Solicitor

September 25, 2012

“After a thorough investigation by law enforcement and a review of the evidence in the case it became clear to our office that Mr. Haymond’s death was the result of natural causes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “All the evidence supports the conclusion and there was nothing that indicated otherwise. Law enforcement took extraordinary action to try and revive Mr. Haymond but despite their best efforts his life could not be saved.”

September 19, 2012

Anderson, SC. An Anderson County jury found twenty-five year old Ebonee Bowers guilty today of the unlawful neglect of her 17-month old daughter. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced her to 10 years.

On August 3, 2010, deputies were called to the AnMed emergency room to investigate an assault on a 17 month-old female, Imani Bowers. The child was brought to the ER by her mother, Ebonee Bowers. The mother stated the child had fallen a few days earlier. Due to the type and severity of the child’s injuries, she was transported to Greenville Hospital where she spent several weeks in the pediatric ICU. A pediatric neurosurgeon concurred with the AnMed ER doctor’s opinion that the child’s injuries were not accidental but were consistent with abuse. DSS began an investigation at that time. The defendant was later arrested.

“There is a sacred trust between a mother and child,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The defendant broke that trust. We pray for Imani’s continued recovery and that her future will be bright and filled with love.”

August 16, 2012

Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com

Walhalla, SC. An Oconee County jury convicted Curtis Eugene Land today of Burglary 1^st Degree. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Land to life without parole, as requested by the State under SC Code of Laws §17-25-45 (“3 strikes”). 

On September 2, 2011, Curtis Land entered a home on Bethel Church Road in Westminster, SC by prying open the back door. A minor child was present in the home at the time and called his father who contacted 911. The 13-year old pointed a shotgun at Land who ran out the back door. Land was arrested by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office a short distance from the home.  

“Life without parole is an appropriate sentence for a career criminal such as Land,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The community will be a safer place with Curtis Land in jail for the rest of his life.”

May 24, 2012

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. Branden Newton pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Unlawful Conduct toward a Child. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Newton to 10 years suspended to 6 months home incarceration and 5 years probation. Newton will be placed on the Child Abuse Central Registry.

On April 21, 2010, EMS responded to 119 Jacob Road in Anderson to a call regarding an injured 5-month old baby. Branden Newton told responders that the child had fallen off the couch onto a carpeted floor. The defendant refused EMS transport to the hospital, but later admitted the child to AnMed Hospital. X-rays revealed 2 separate skull fractures as well as partially healed fractures from two prior incidents.  Once confronted by investigators that skull fractures do not occur from a fall from a couch, Newton changed his story and claimed that the infant fell from a counter in the kitchen onto a linoleum floor.  A child abuse expert who examined the child stated that the skull fractures this infant received would also not result from a fall from a kitchen counter. 

SLED was called in to investigate the case since Newton was employed as a 911 dispatcher for Anderson County.  The infant was examined by a child abuse expert in Columbia who stated that the injuries the child had sustained were consistent with abuse and that these injuries would not have resulted from either a fall from a couch or from a fall from a kitchen counter.

“The abuse Mr. Newton inflicted upon this helpless infant, coupled with his repeated attempts to cover up the truth in order to avoid responsibility when confronted by law enforcement, are reprehensible,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “We are very disappointed in today’s sentence.  The defendant’s actions called for an active prison sentence as the State requested.”

May 24, 2012

Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com

. Branden Newton pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Unlawful Conduct toward a Child. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Newton to 10 years suspended to 6 months home incarceration and 5 years probation. Newton will be placed on the Child Abuse Central Registry.

On April 21, 2010, EMS responded to 119 Jacob Road in Anderson to a call regarding an injured 5-month old baby. Branden Newton told responders that the child had fallen off the couch onto a carpeted floor. The defendant refused EMS transport to the hospital, but later admitted the child to AnMed Hospital. X-rays revealed 2 separate skull fractures as well as partially healed fractures from two prior incidents.  Once confronted by investigators that skull fractures do not occur from a fall from a couch, Newton changed his story and claimed that the infant fell from a counter in the kitchen onto a linoleum floor.  A child abuse expert who examined the child stated that the skull fractures this infant received would also not result from a fall from a kitchen counter. 

SLED was called in to investigate the case since Newton was employed as a 911 dispatcher for Anderson County.  The infant was examined by a child abuse expert in Columbia who stated that the injuries the child had sustained were consistent with abuse and that these injuries would not have resulted from either a fall from a couch or from a fall from a kitchen counter.

“The abuse Mr. Newton inflicted upon this helpless infant, coupled with his repeated attempts to cover up the truth in order to avoid responsibility when confronted by law enforcement, are reprehensible,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “We are very disappointed in today’s sentence.  The defendant’s actions called for an active prison sentence as the State requested.”

 May 22, 2012 

Twenty-two year old Daryl Newton pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter and Armed Robbery from two separate incidents in 2010. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Newton to 25 years in prison.  

On August 24, 2010, Daryl Newton, and a co-defendant approached 2 victims in the Bi-Lo parking lot on Hwy 153 in Anderson County, pointed a gun at them and demanded their money and cell phones.   

On September 1, 2010, Newton shot and killed Josh Maness in Anderson during a confrontation at Maness’ home. The two had met earlier in the day when the victim wanted to buy some marijuana from the defendant. The defendant went to the victim’s house later to rob him.  Newton was arrested on September 2^nd and charge with killing Maness and also the Armed Robbery which took place on August 24^th.  

The armed robbery victims were able to pick Newton out of a photo line-up.  The Defendant gave a full confession to both crimes.