Police in South Carolina have reported that a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a fatal shooting in York County on the morning of Aug. 12, but they have not revealed what led them to believe that the 32-year-old Connecticut man was the shooter. Prosecutors also failed to introduce any evidence linking the man with the homicide he allegedly committed during his Aug. 17 arraignment hearing. The man has been charged with murder and weapons possession and faces a custodial sentence of between 30 years and life if convicted.
According to local media accounts, officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at a Celanese Road apartment building in Rock Hill at approximately 11:30 a.m. They arrived to discover that a 36-year-old man had been shot and killed inside his apartment. Police say that the man’s assailant had shot him several times to make sure that he did not survive the encounter. Police announced a short time later that a person of interest was being sought in connection with the crime, but they did not reveal what may have led to the breakthrough.
When asked about the course of the investigation, police would only say that the two men knew one another and they were confident that the man they had in custody was the perpetrator. Police are also said to have found an abandoned car at a nearby gas station that they believe was used by the man to flee the scene. Reports indicate that the man is being held on a fugitive warrant issued in Connecticut but has no criminal record in South Carolina.
Prosecutors and police officers are not required to reveal their evidence or explain their methods to the media, but they must turn over all relevant information to the criminal defense attorneys representing the accused. When the authorities have been less than forthcoming and serious violent crimes are involved, defense attorneys may study the evidence handed over during discovery with particular care.
Source: The Rock Hill Herald, Who is Dewight Baird from Connecticut? Rock Hill police say he killed an acquaintance, Andrew Dys, Aug. 14, 2018Source: The Rock Hill Herald, ‘No mercy!’ Judge clears court; Rock Hill murder victim’s family sees accused killer, Andrew Dys, Aug. 17, 2018