10th Circuit Solicitor

PRESS RELEASE: Solicitor Adams Announces Sentence handed down in case of State vs. Luke Rogers in Oconee County. Burrell case continued.

On Monday, March 20, 2005 in Oconee County General Sessions Court, Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Luke Rogers to 15 years in prison following Rogers’ guilty plea to one count of Burglary 1st Degree, one count of Burglary 2nd Degree and one count of Grand Larceny. Rogers was also ordered to go through the Addictions Treatment Unit while in prison. 

Rogers was charged with breaking into a home in Walhalla on two separate occasions and also breaking into a home in Salem on two separate occasions. During his second attempt to burglarize the home in Salem, Rogers was surprised by the owner of the home who was armed at the time. The owner of the home shot Rogers with rock salt after which Rogers managed to escape. He was apprehended on November 30th in the Walhalla area. 

In the second case slated for trial, State vs. Lane Burrell, Judge Welmaker granted the defense motion for continuance until the April 17th term of General Sessions Court. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that an Anderson County jury reached a Guilty verdict in the case of the State vs. Billy Shane Tucker for Murder, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill. Tucker had been charged with the murder of David Blackwell which took place on July 13, 2005 in Anderson County. At the same time, Tucker was charged with Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill for the shooting of Leah Spruell who was present at the home of Blackwell at the time of Blackwell’s murder. 

The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Tucker to life for the Murder charge, 5 years for the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and 20 years for the Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill. All sentences are to be served consecutively. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that twenty-year old Kevin Pitts pled guilty to Murder in Anderson County General Sessions Court today for the death of Anthony Haygood on September 10, 2004 at Pendleton High School in Anderson. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Pitts to 30 years.

Forty-five year old William Geer pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Anderson County General Sessions Court today for the death of Polly Walters on May 17, 2005 in Anderson. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Geer to 30 years.

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that an Anderson County jury took less than an hour to reach a verdict of Guilty in the case of the State vs. Johnny Ray Gambrell for the murder of Lois Gambrell in July of 2004. Bone fragments identified as the remains of Ms. Gambrell were found in the ashes of a fire behind the home the two had shared. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” 
Nicholson sentenced Gambrell to life in prison. 

The State’s case was supported by expert testimony from forensic anthropologist Dr. Ted Rathbun who had done testing of the evidence in the case, which included small bone fragments identified as that of a daughter of Frances King, Lois Gambrell’s mother. 

An Anderson County an eight man four woman jury deliberated a little over 2 hours before finding Angela Vaughn guilty of Murder in the October 24, 2003 shooting death of Ronald Grant. Ms. Vaughn and Mr. Grant shared a home together. Mr. Grant was shot once in the chest while sitting on the couch and died at the scene.

The Honorable Judge Alexander S. Macaulay sentenced Ms. Vaughn to 30 years for Murder and 5 years for the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.

Lead Prosecutor – Catherine Huey
Defense Counsel – Robert Gamble

The Anderson Independent article on Solicitor Chrissy Adams 1st year

Sammy Kay Cowan was convicted today in Anderson General Sessions Court for the murder of Frederick Penn on February 6, 2005 at Club Envy in Anderson County. 

Witnesses placed Cowan at Club Envy on February 6th armed with a gun when the victim and another patron of the club were arguing outside. Cowan shot Mr. Penn (who was unarmed) 5 times resulting in Mr. Penn’s death at the scene. Cowan was later apprehended in Hartwell, Georgia. 

Judge Lee S. Alford sentenced Mr. Cowans to life without parole for the murder.

Profile of Chrissy Adams.

Jackie Reynolds 47 Year old White Female was sentenced to two years in jail for her arrest on two counts of prostitution 3rd offense. The charges were brought by undercover agents of the Anderson County Sheriff’s department on April 1, 2005 and September 15, 2005 near Orville Baptist Church on South Main Street. Ms. Reynolds admitted during her plea to having a drug problem.

The Honorable Judge Cordell Maddox also ordered Ms. Reynolds to undergo drug treatment while incarcerated.

Lead Prosecutor – T. Matthew Bradley
Defense Counsel – Robert Lusk