10th Circuit Solicitor

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

An Anderson County jury deliberated less than 2 hours before finding Clinkscales guilty of Murder in the death of Kenica Richardson on August 14, 2004. According to testimony, Clinkscales argued with Ms. Richardson and then fired at least four shots which resulted in her death shortly thereafter. The victim’s mother and three children were in the home at the time of the shooting. Clinkscales fled the scene and was later arrested by officers from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in Richmond, Virginia.

The Honorable Judge Edward Miller sentenced Clinkscales to 40 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 – Bruce Byrholdt

An Oconee County jury delivered a guilty verdict in the case of Terry Tindall on July 27, 2005.

Tindall was stopped on I-85 on April 15, 2004 for driving infractions including following too closely, crossing the white line, and speeding. While awaiting confirmation of driver’s license and registration information, Sgt. Dale Colegrove of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was told by Tindall that he was traveling to Durham, NC to see his brother. Tindall then told the officer that he did not know where his brother lived but would call when he was closer to his destination. The defendant then began to exhibit nervous behavior. After being given permission to search the car, Sgt. Colegrove found approximately 2400 grams of cocaine (being equivalent to more than 5 pounds) stuffed in the back bumper of the car. Tindall was arrested and charged with Trafficking Cocaine.

After three days of testimony, the jury deliberated approximately an hour and a half before reaching a guilty verdict. Tindall will not be eligible for parole until he has served 85 percent of his sentence.

The Honorable Judge Cordell Maddox sentenced Tindall to 25 years in prison.

Lead Prosecutor – Lindsey Simmons
Defense Counsel – Delane Rosemond

An Anderson County jury returned a verdict of Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Weapon in the Commission of a Violent Crime in the case of State vs. Braxton Jacory Bell for the death of Jonathan Gambrell in November 2004.

The Honorable James Williams sentenced the defendant to 30 years for the Voluntary Manslaughter and 5 years for the Weapons charge to run concurrently. 

Lead Prosecutor – Scott McElhannon
Defense Counsel – Charles Whiten

Jarred Williams pled guilty in Anderson County General Sessions Court on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, to Armed Robbery and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle valued at more than $5000. The Defendant, while armed with a sawed off shotgun, entered a convenience store located on Highway 86 in Anderson County on June 25, 2004 and demanded money out of the cash register from clerk. After robbing the clerk of almost $300, the Defendant fled the store in a vehicle that had been carjacked in Greenville County shortly before the robbery. 

The Honorable J. Cordell Maddox, Jr. sentenced Williams to 10 years in prison.

Lead Prosecutor – Catherine Huey
Defense Counsel – John Stathakis