Tuesday, Oct. 02, 2007

2007 Silent Witness roll call

At Monday's third annual Silent Witness Domestic Violence ceremony at the State House, Attorney General Henry McMaster called the names of 40 women and 10 men from across the state who lost their lives as the result of domestic violence in 2006.

The ceremony marked the first day of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to the attorney general's office:

Abbeville County

Shirley Demore, 36, was shot and killed on June 16, 2006. Steven Tinch, who formerly lived with Demore, drove to O'Neals' Auto Shop, owned by Demore's father. Tinch pulled a rifle out of his vehicle, shot his father, and then shot and killed Demore. Tinch is awaiting trial for murder. Demore is survived by her three sons.

Aiken County

Nicole McKie, 34, died from two shotgun blasts to her chest and left arm on Feb. 11, 2006. She was in the early stages of pregnancy. Jeffrey Scott Jr., father of McKie's daughter, pled guilty to her murder and is serving a 30-year sentence. McKie is survived by a 5-year-old daughter.

Anderson County

Erica Olsen, 25, was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife on Oct. 24, 2006. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Olsen's 6- year-old daughter told them her mother had been stabbed by her boyfriend, Christopher Ellis. The autopsy revealed that Olsen had suffered 25 stab wounds. She was six to eight weeks pregnant at the time. Ellis is awaiting trial for murder.

Jerome Powers, 53, died from asphyxiation on Feb. 26, 2006. Powers was strangled to death with a vacuum cleaner hose. The victim's common-law wife, Evelyn Pressley, was charged with murder. The couple had a long history of domestic violence. Pressley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Powers is survived by his daughter.

Carmencita Turman, 28, died from multiple blunt-force trauma injuries on Nov. 5, 2006. Police say Turman was beaten to death by her boyfriend, Rodney Lee Thompson. In June 2002, Turman's 3-year-old son was beaten, shaken, stomped and his body was dumped near their home. Turman's boyfriend at that time, Reco Hill, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Thompson is awaiting trial for murder.

Bamberg County

Roslyn Tyler, 37, died from gunshot wounds to the chest and face on Oct. 6, 2006. Witnesses say Tyler was shot by her estranged husband, Edward Tyler, during an argument. Edward Tyler lived next door to Roslyn Tyler with his father. Tyler is awaiting trial for murder. Roslyn Tyler is survived by her two children.

Beaufort County

Ellen McCormick, 50, was beaten, shot and killed; and then her home was set on fire, on Jan. 1, 2006. McCormick's estranged husband, Charles McCormick, was charged with murder. Charles McCormick also was charged with arson and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He awaits trial. Ellen McCormick is survived by her two sons.

Yvette Moorer, 22, was shot to death on March 5, 2006. She was pregnant at the time of her death. Investigators originally thought Moorer died from a car crash. However, law enforcement received a call saying that Moorer's ex-boyfriend, Cedric Saunders, had been shooting at her car. After a three-hour stand-off, Saunders surrendered to police and was charged with two counts of murder and awaits trial. Moorer is survived by her daughter.

Berkeley County

Jason Truitt, 33, died from gunshot wounds on Sept. 14, 2006. Stephanie Morosi, Truitt's former girlfriend and roommate, has been charged with his murder. Morosi has claimed self-defense. She is currently awaiting trial.

Charleston County

William Ayers, 53, died from a single gunshot wound to the throat on Dec. 23, 2006. Witnesses say they heard the victim fighting with his girlfriend, Carletha Simmons, in their apartment before the shooting. Simmons has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial.

Cherokee County

Melinda Ramirez, 33, died from a gunshot wound to the head on Oct. 21, 2006. Law enforcement says J.H. Lawter Jr., Ramirez's live-in boyfriend, distributed marijuana to Ramirez, an argument ensued and he shot Ramirez. Lawter pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to five years suspended to 18 months home detention and three years probation. Ramirez is survived by her three sons.

Colleton County

Laura Christine Linkous, 41, was shot and killed on April 13, 2006. Linkous was killed by her husband, John Linkous Jr., who committed suicide after killing his wife. Linkous is survived by her children.

Edgefield County

Gwendolyn Wilson, 26, was stabbed to death on February 20, 2006. Mrs. Wilson was stabbed several times by her husband, Mr. Maurice Wilson. Mr. Wilson was arrested, and he committed suicide the day after killing Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson is survived by her two sons.

Fairfield County

Louise Martin, 63, was shot and killed on Sept. 24, 2006. Martin was shot several times by her husband, Robert Martin, who committed suicide after shooting his wife. Martin is survived by her two sons and three daughters.

Florence County

Joanne Karen Pompey, 49, was stabbed to death on June 17, 2006. Pompey was stabbed in the chest by her boyfriend, O.C. Mouzon. Mouzon was charged with murder, and he pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He is serving a 15-year sentence.

Georgetown County

Sheila McPherson, 49, was beaten to death on March 7, 2006. McPherson was hit several times in the head and upper body with a baseball bat. The victim's boyfriend, Vladimir Pantovich, has been charged with murder. He is awaiting trial.

Kesha Rudolph, 33, was shot and killed on Sept. 1, 2006. Witnesses say Eric Smith, the father of Rudolph's daughter, came to her residence demanding that she return a music CD. An argument ensued, and Smith left. He returned a short time later with a gun and fired three shots at Rudolph. Smith has been charged with murder, kidnapping, possession of a handgun and discharging a weapon. His trial is pending. Rudolph is survived by her daughter.

Greenville County

Frank Brown, 54, was killed on Aug. 16, 2006. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victim's wife, Gracie Brown, standing over the victim crying with her head in her hands. The couple's 24-year-old son also was present. Brown has been charged with murder, and she is awaiting trial.

Angela Workman, 27, died from gunshot wounds to the face, neck and chest on April 6, 2006. Investigators say Workman's mother discovered her body when she went to her daughter's home to pick up her grandson. The 4-year-old boy was at the residence during the time of the murder. Leon Choice, Workman's former boyfriend, was charged with her murder. He has also been charged with first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Trials are pending.

Greenwood County

Patricia Cantrell, 28, died due to blunt-force trauma on Sept. 30, 2006. Witnesses say David Whatley, the victim's live- in boyfriend, beat Cantrell in the parking lot of a local club after a verbal argument. Whatley has been charged with Cantrell's murder, and he is awaiting trial. Cantrell is survived by her son and daughter.

Peggy Lail, 45, was shot and killed on Oct. 3, 2006. Lail was shot several times by her husband, Timothy Lail, while her parents were on the phone with him. Lail committed suicide after the shooting. Lail is survived by her son and daughter.

McQuonia Lawton, 34, was shot and killed on Feb. 28, 2006. Lawton was dragged from her apartment and shot 11 times by her husband, James Lawton, after a short chase. Lawton's children were inside the apartment at the time. James Lawton returned to his apartment after the shooting and committed suicide. Lawton is survived by her three children.

Janet McWhorter, 69, was shot and killed on Oct. 1, 2006. McWhorter was shot while she was sleeping by her husband, Jimmy McWhorter, who then committed suicide. Investigators discovered their bodies a few days later after being notified by neighbors. Janet McWhorter is survived by one son.

Horry County

Lisa Hernandez, 46, was shot and killed on Oct. 27, 2006. Hernandez was shot multiple times by her husband, Jorge Hernandez, while in her horse barn. Hernandez has been charged with murder and awaits trial. Hernandez is survived by her two children.

Mary Lynch, 52, was severely beaten and died from the injuries on Nov. 23, 2006, Thanksgiving Day. Lynch was killed by her boyfriend, Christopher Smith. She suffered from traumatic brain injury and hemorrhage. Smith has been charged with murder and awaits trial. Lynch is survived by her son.

Carma Russell, 31, was shot and killed on March 4, 2006. Russell was shot in the face by her boyfriend, Billy Lee, outside a local church. Russell and her children were attending a play at the church with their pastor, at whose home they were seeking refuge due to domestic violence. Russell's children were inside the church at the time of the shooting. Lee has been charged with murder and awaits trial. Russell is survived by her three children.

Rebekah Winkler, 50, was shot and killed on March 6, 2006. Winkler was living in a condominium with her children when her estranged husband, Louis Winkler, broke into the home and shot her in the head. Winkler is charged with first-degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and murder. He awaits trial. Winkler is survived by her two children.

Laurens County

Jolene Dotson, 42, was shot and killed on Aug. 13, 2006. Dotson's husband, David Dotson, shot and killed her at their residence in the presence of their children. Dotson committed suicide after killing his wife. Dotson is survived by her two children.

Georgia Coker Hughes, 42, was shot and killed on Feb. 24, 2006. Stanley Kinard, with whom Hughes allegedly had a relationship, shot her in the head and set her home and vehicle on fire, and then committed suicide. Hughes is survived by her two children.

Lois Gregory, 34, was shot and killed on Aug. 12, 2006. Gregory was shot by her boyfriend, Robert Ford. After killing Gregory, Ford turned the gun on himself and took his own life. Gregory is survived by her son and daughter.

Michael Tumblin, 58, was shot and killed on Jan. 3, 2006. Tumblin was shot by his wife, Judy Tumblin, after having an argument over a family matter. According to reports, one of the Tumblins' grandchildren witnessed the shooting. Judy Tumblin was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Tumblin is survived by his daughter.

Lee County

Regenia Holloman, 32, was shot and killed on Oct. 5, 2006. According to reports, Holloman's mother was present during the shooting. Holloman's boyfriend, Bruce Thomas, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Lexington County

Tarquinius Leonard Russell, 34, was stabbed to death on July 23, 2006. According to reports, Russell and his girlfriend, Beulah Butler, were having an argument when Butler stabbed Russell in the chest. Butler has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial. Russell is survived by his four children.

Woodrow Smith, 62, was shot and killed on May 17, 2006. Reports say Smith was shot by his ex-wife, Ann Baxley Smith. Upon arrival at Woodrow Smith's home, Ann Smith allegedly became upset upon seeing Smith's girlfriend's car. Ann Smith asked Woodrow Smith to come outside, where she shot him. The couple had a history of domestic violence and harassment. Smith was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. She is awaiting trial. Smith is survived by his children.

Marlboro County

Pamela Goins, 43, was shot and killed on Jan. 31, 2006. An officer responded to Goins' residence to conduct a welfare check. The officer found Goins and her boyfriend, Howard Scott, in the residence. The officer was concerned and asked Ms. Goins to step outside and talk alone. As they walked outside, Scott pulled his shotgun and shot Goins. The officer pulled his weapon and shot Scott, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Patricia Thompson, 43, was stabbed to death on Nov. 28, 2006. Thompson's estranged boyfriend, Luther Ford, has been charged with murder. According to reports, Thompson was stabbed several times by Ford after having an argument. Ford is currently awaiting trial.

Pickens County

Tracy Michelle Stegall, 34, was beaten to death on Jan. 6, 2006. Stegall's husband, Richard Stegall, beat his wife in their car, hitting her head against the window and then dragging her out onto the pavement. According to reports, prosecutors alleged that Stegall then kicked his wife in the head, which killed her. Stegall was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Richland County

Nekia Dionne Mallory, 23, was stabbed to death on May 14, 2006. Mallory's husband, Justin Mallory, has been charged with her murder, and he is currently awaiting trial. Mallory is survived by her two children.

Shirlene Yarborough, 19, was stabbed to death on Nov. 2, 2006. Reports say Charles Gamble Jr., Yarborough's ex-boyfriend and father of her child, broke into her apartment and found her with another man. Gamble stabbed Yarborough and fatally shot two other men who were in the apartment. Gamble then hid the three bodies in a drainage pipe near the residence. Gamble is charged with three counts of murder and is awaiting trial. He had been charged with stalking Yarborough twice before. Yarborough is survived by her son.

Karen Yongue, 52, was shot to death on June 4, 2006. Yongue was killed by her husband, Richard Yongue. Reports say that a relative called 911 early on the morning of June 4 and said that someone from the Yongue house had called needing the police. When officers arrived, they found both Yongues dead due to gunshot wounds to the head. Police believe Richard Yongue shot his wife and then committed suicide.

Spartanburg County

Karen Chisholm, 46, was shot to death on Feb. 17, 2006. Reports say Chisholm was shot by her boyfriend, John Compton. He and an accomplice then put her body in the trunk of his car, drove to Greenwood County, and dumped her body off of a highway. Compton was convicted of murder and sentenced to serve 30 years in prison. Chisholm is survived by her daughter.

Eliza Hernandez, 22, was shot and killed on Nov. 23, 2006. After an argument, Hernandez was shot in the head by her husband, Santiago Pasquel Rios. Rios has been charged with murder and awaits trial.

Sheila Sanders, 42, was shot and killed on Sept. 25, 2006. Sanders was shot several times by her common-law husband, Gregory Scott Denton. Denton has been charged with murder and awaits trial. Sanders is survived by her three daughters and son.

Sumter County

Lashonna Nelson, 27, was shot and killed on Nov. 11, 2006. Nelson was shot seven times by the father of one of her children, James Dinkins Jr. Dinkins shot himself after killing Nelson. There was an infant in the home at the time of the incident. Nelson is survived by her two sons.

Deshaunda Russ, 31, was shot and killed on Sept. 3, 2006. Russ was shot in the chest by David Rhodes, with whom she had a child in common. Rhodes has been charged with murder and is still awaiting trial. Russ is survived by her four sons and daughter.

Jamie Thomas, 34, was stabbed and killed on July 16, 2006. Thomas was stabbed by his wife, Calinda Thomas, after an altercation in their home. Thomas has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial. Thomas is survived by his two children.

Williamsburg County

Willie Dunmore, 42, was stabbed and killed on Dec. 23, 2006. Dunmore was stabbed by his common-law wife, Lou Ann Robinson. Robinson has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial. Dunmore is survived by his children.

York County

Carlos Latta, 35, Latta was stabbed and killed on Dec. 31, 2006. Latta was stabbed by Iris Gilmore during an altercation in front of their daughter. Gilmore was charged with murder and is awaiting trial. Latta is survived by his daughter.

Sherry Mobley, 33, was stabbed and killed on Jan. 31, 2006. Mobley was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, Darren Jones. She was taken to the hospital and into surgery. Mobley died from the injuries three days later. Jones was charged with her murder. He pled guilty and is serving a 30-year sentence. Mobley is survived by her two sons and her two daughters.

Shavon Turman, 24, was shot and killed on July 16, 2006. Turman was shot by her boyfriend, Eric Crawford. Crawford was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. He pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is serving a 30-year sentence. Turman is survived by her son.

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