10th Circuit Solicitor

An Oconee County jury took less than three hours to find Randy Frady guilty of Murder for the deaths of his father, James C. Frady, Jr., and brother, Barry Frady in Walhalla, SC on September 22, 2004. 

Frady was also charged with Arson 2nd Degree, Burglary 1st Degree and Grand Larceny for events surrounding the murder of his father and brother. 

Judge Perry Buckner, Chief Administrative Judge for the 14th Circuit, sentenced Frady to Life without Parole for each of the murders, 30 years for the Burglary 1st Degree, 25 years for the Arson 2nd Degree, and 5 years for the Grand Larceny. All sentences are to run concurrently.

“Our hearts go out to Jim and Blackie Frady. This was a horrible tragedy for their family. However, justice was served with the jury’s verdict today and Randy Frady will have the rest of his life to think about what he did.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams. 

An Anderson County jury found Larry D. Evans guilty of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle today in Anderson General Sessions Court. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Evans to 10 years, the maximum penalty allowed for this crime. Evans was sentenced under an “enhancement” statute due to his prior extensive criminal record dating back to 1983.

On May 28, 2005, Evans was identified as operating a 1987 Dodge Dakota truck which had been stolen on May 25, 2005 from the Advance Auto parking lot on South Main Street in Anderson. He was arrested in Abbeville County on June 13, 2005 while driving the truck. 

“We were very pleased with the jury’s verdict and with the maximum sentence handed down by Judge Nicholson. The Anderson County Sheriff’s office worked tremendously hard on this case and we were able to present ample evidence for the jury to render its guilty verdict.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Jesse Newton pled guilty today in Anderson County General Sessions Court to the charge of Voluntary Manslaughter for the death of Harold Bridges on February 3, 2004 in Anderson County. Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox sentenced Newton to 30 years in prison. 

Newton had corresponded with Bridges on the internet. Bridges went to Newton’s house with regard to their chat room conversation. As Bridges arrived on the front porch, Newton loaded a rifle and exited the home through the back door. He then proceeded around the house, shooting Bridges from approximately 36 feet away. Forty-eight year old Bridges died at the scene.

Because he was only 15 at the time of the incident, Newton was originally charged as a juvenile. However, after a full waiver hearing in juvenile court, Judge Barry W. Knobel transferred jurisdiction of the case to the Court of General Sessions. While being housed at the Department of Juvenile Justice (prior to his 17th birthday), Newton’s records indicate that he had 51 referrals for behavioral problems, mostly assaults on peers and staff. Newton was transferred to the Anderson County Detention Center after his 17th birthday. 

“My staff and I will continue to hold juveniles who commit adult crimes fully responsible for their actions. We hope this sentence will allow the family members of Mr. Bridges to feel some closure to this terrible tragedy. They have our deepest sympathies.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Twenty-six year old Iona Goss of Anderson, SC pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to the charge of Unlawful Neglect of a Child. Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox sentenced Goss to a term of 8 years suspended to 6 years in prison to be followed by 3 years probation. Goss was also ordered to undergo addiction treatment while incarcerated.

On July 31, 2005, Iona Goss gave birth to a stillborn child at AnMed Hospital. Goss gave a statement in which she admitted using alcohol and smoking crack approximately two hours before giving birth. She also admitted using crack on and off throughout her entire pregnancy. SLED toxicology indicated the defendant had a .015 blood alcohol level and cocaine in her system at the time of delivery. The baby had a .058 blood alcohol level and also tested positive for cocaine. The baby was polydactyl and also had skull and brain deformities. The defendant had previously given birth to a child in 2003 while in drug rehab in Charleston. 

“We are very pleased with the prison term handed down by the Honorable Cordell Maddox. This is a tragic case that resulted in the loss of an innocent child’s life. I can only hope that this sentence sends the message that we will not tolerate women who abuse alcohol and drugs during their pregnancy. We will continue to fight for the maximum sentence allowed by law.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

On July 13, 2006, an Anderson County jury deliberated for two and a half hours before convicting the Defendant, Michael Gibert of three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Second Degree, one count of Lewd Act Upon a Minor under the age of Sixteen, one count of Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and one count of Assault with Intent to Kill. Pursuant to 17-25-45, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office served the Defendant with Notice of Intent to Seek Life without the Possibility of Parole on all the counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Second Degree, due to his prior convictions for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping. The Honorable Steven John presided. Judge John determined that based on his prior convictions, the Defendant qualified for the life sentence under the “three strikes and you’re out law.” Judge John further sentenced the Defendant to the maximum fifteen years on the count of Lewd Act upon a Minor, the maximum three years for the count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and the maximum ten years for the count of Assault with Intent to Kill. All charges except the Assault with Intent to Kill were against the same minor victim and occurred between April of 2004 and April of 2005. As the minor victim was being taken into emergency protective custody by Department of Social Services worker, Michelle Love, the Defendant was following her in his car and attempted to run her off the road in order to thwart her efforts to protect the minor child. 

“We are extremely pleased with the jury’s verdict. We will continue to seek the maximum punishment allowed for offenders who continue to violate the laws of our State and endanger the welfare of our citizens, especially our youth.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that a guilty verdict was handed down by an Anderson County jury today in the case of the State vs. Olin Daniel Johnson for Reckless Homicide. Johnson was charged in connection with a collision which occurred in Anderson County on July 4, 2002. The passenger in the car which Johnson hit, Sara Snelgrove of Starr, died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Johnson to 7 years suspended to 1 year active jail time with 5 years probation to follow. 

Lana Darlene Roper, a former employee of Ryobi Manufacturing in Anderson, SC, was sentenced today to 8 years in prison suspended to 2 years, with 5 years probation and restitution for taking a significant amount of money from her employer during a period of approximately 3 to 4 years. The exact amount was not specified today. A restitution hearing will be held in the future to determine this amount. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox presided. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Scott McElhannon of the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams states: “It is the duty of my office to prosecute all crimes, whether they are white collar or violent crimes. 

Lorenzo Curry pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to the Armed Robbery of Skins Hot Dogs on August 10, 2005. Circuit Judge Alex Macaulay sentenced Curry to 15 years in the SC Department of Corrections.

Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that Ernest Don Webb pled guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court on Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 to Trafficking Methamphetamines 10-28 grams and Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury. Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Webb to the maximum sentence of 15 years for Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury and 15 years for Trafficking Methamphetamines. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

Webb was charged with Felony DUI in May of 2004 when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line on Coffee Road and struck the vehicle driven by Greg McCall who was on his way home from church with his minor children. Mr. McCall received injuries to his back and brain which have rendered him permanently disabled. Following blood tests, Webb was found to have methamphetamines, THC, and cocaine metabolites in his system. A warrant was issued for the Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury charge at that time.

When Webb failed to appear for his court date in October of 2005, a bench warrant was issued. Webb was arrested on October 20, 2005 at which time he was found to have in his possession 25.31 grams of methamphetamines. He was subsequently charged with Trafficking Methamphetamines and placed in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center where he remained until his current court date.

Otis Ed Brandon pled guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court today to two counts of Lewd Act on a Minor. The incidents occurred between October 1st and December 6th of 2005 and involved two separate victims. Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Otis Ed Brandon to the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on each charge. Brandon was ordered to undergo sexual abuse counseling while incarcerated. He will be required to register as a sexual offender upon his release from prison.