May 9, 2013 | Assault and Battery, Criminal Defense, Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
A Clover, South Carolina man has been charged in connection with a shooting which happened
in east Charlotte along the 5300 block of Independence Boulevard. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the man allegedly fired his gun, at least two times, and struck a 25-year-old in the arm and the leg.
The victim was taken to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment, and the suspect was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, discharging a firearm into occupied property, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflict serious injury. He is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail under a $154,500 bond.
If you someone close to you has been charged with a criminal offense call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. If you have been charged in North Carolina, contact our Charlotte office at 704-499-9000; and, if you have been charged in South Carolina call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill at 803-548-4444. You can also visit our website here.
Apr 11, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
A woman, who Gastonia officials say set a fire to a home that killed her mother and stepfather, has still not been located by police officials. The fire was initially ruled an accident; however, this idea has changed due to the suspicious activity of the 37-year-old suspect.
As the fire burst into a full-blown conflagration, the suspect ran out of the house, and banged on the door of the couple’s neighbors stating that her mother and stepfather were in the engulfed house. The neighbor attempted to help, but his rescue efforts were futile, as were the efforts of the Gastonia fire department. It is reported that it took 20 firefighters to get the flames under control.
The investigators have not been able to locate the daughter, who is sus
pected of causing the fire. When the woman is located, she will be charged with first-degree homicide by the Gastonia Police Department.
If you or someone close to you has committed a felony in North Carolina, and the felony is inherently dangerous (such as rape, robbery, arson, burglary, and kidnapping), and a person is killed during the commission of such felony, that felon can still be charged with first-degree murder.
In North Carolina, the felony murder rule has been implemented; so, in this case for example, the woman set a house on fire. Even if she didn’t know people were in the house, she could still be charged with first-degree homicide. The fact that she was committing an inherently dangerous felony (Arson), and people died as a result, she will likely be implicated under the felony murder rule.
So, if you have been charged with homicide, or any other criminal charge, call the law offices o Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation of your rights. You can reach our Charlotte, North Carolina office at 704-499-9000, and we will be pleased to assist you.
Apr 9, 2013 | Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
Homicide investigators in Lexington County, South Carolina report that they have charged a suspect with murder after discovering the body of a man, who had disappeared earlier in the month. He was buried in defendant’s back yard. A 26-year-old man is being charged with murder and financial fraud among other crimes.
The mother of the missing person told deputies that the man went missing on February 25, 2013. They report that the man was killed that day by a stab to the eye and neck, in addition to a fractured skull.
The man suspected of the murder allegedly took the victims car apart, and buried the body in the back yard. Another man, 40-year-old West Columbia man, was charged with accessory after the fact, manufacturing methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana. The alleged murderer is also being charged with financial fraud for selling the victim’s automobile parts.
This is a terrible result to a disastrous situation. Taking someone’s life is the worst thing a person can do criminally. However, at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP we believe that even murderers are entitled to a proper defense. If you or a loved one has been charged with such a crime, call our office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999. We would be happy to assist you.
Mar 21, 2013 | Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
In South Carolina, if homicide takes place during the commission of a felony, malice is supplied from the intent to commit the underlying felony. In the South Carolina case, Gore v. Leeke 261 SC 308, the felony murder rule became a substantive rule of law, and no longer a presumption. The rule of inferred malice only applies to felonies that are either and inherent or foreseeable danger to human life.
The inherent danger pf such felonies is determined from the nature of the felony and the surrounding circumstances. In Gore, the daytime break-in of a home by men with weapons invoked the felony murder rule (FMR). However, not all felonies will support the FMR. For example, bribery is a felony; however, it is not a felony that is inherently dangerous, so it will not be applicable to the FMR. There must be a threat to human life by the very nature of the felony itself.
Next, the homicide must take place while the felony is in the process of being committed to fall under the purview of the FMR. But, the felony continues to be committed while the defendants are escaping from the scene. Many felony murder cases can be sustained on some other theory of malice. Basically, the application of the FMR is appropriate in cases of an unintentional homicide committed during an inherently dangerous felony.
If you are being charged with first degree murder under the felony murder rule (due to the fact that the murder occurred during the commission of a inherently dangerous felony) contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. The FMR elevates a charge such as burglary or robbery to a first degree murder if someone dies during the commission of such a felony. Further, even if you are not the shooter, you may still be charged under the doctrine. Contact our Baxter village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina if you have been charged under the felony murder doctrine. You can contact us at 803-548-4444, or 877-374-5999.
Mar 20, 2013 | Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
A 34-year-old Bowman, South Carolina man has been arrested and charged in the stabbing death of his significant other. He is currently being charged with murder after police were called to a Branchville home to find the body of a 34-year-old woman.
The man is also being charged with animal cruelty; however, the details of that incident have not been released. Further, it has not been disclosed whether the man has retained the attorney.
Murder is the most serious crime that can be committed in South Carolina. There are various degrees one can be charged with, and it is essential that one understands the charges that can be brought against him or her. The following degrees of murder constitute what is recognized in the state of South Carolina:
– First Degree Murder
- This is committed with intent and malice aforethought (prior intent to kill). In order to receive a conviction for first degree murder, the prosecutor must prove premeditation and intent.
– Second Degree Murder
- This involves intent, but is not planned. The key for first degree murder is premeditation.
– Third Degree Murder
- Must be committed spontaneously and the offender is under extreme emotional stress at the time in question.
Lying in Wait – The offender must be waiting and watching with the intent of ambushing the victim. This is lying in wait and is deliberate and premeditated. There must be intentional bodily harm leading to a high probability of death and a total disregard for the value of human life in order to be deemed a murder while lying in wait. Malice Aforethought must also be successfully proven. These also qualify under first degree murder.
A murder conviction can adversely affect ones life such that, even if a person is not guilty, it can affect his/her reputation and ability to get employment. Further, being the most serious crime in South Carolina, a charge for murder can cause a person to spend the rest of his/her life in prison. If you or someone close to you has been charged with murder of any degree, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. Contact our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or 877-374-5999 toll free.
Nov 7, 2012 | Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
A 22-year-old Clover man was shot to death at1030 Wiggins Roadon Tuesday. He was brought to a hospital inKings Mountain, NC where he was pronounced dead at 4:14 a.m. The man was brought to the hospital by a private car, and no 911 calls were reported. Clover Police were eventually able to determine the location of the shooting after hours of investigation.
The suspected shooter, whose criminal history ranges from assault and battery with the intent to kill to drug possession and criminal domestic violence, was arrested in Spartanburg County around mid-night on Wednesday. This is the second deadly shooting in Clover this year; the first took place in July, when a 21-year-old man died after shooting himself, near S.C. 557 between Clover and Lake Wylie. 
If you or a loved one has been charged in connection with a homicide in North orSouth Carolina, make sure you have proper representation. Speak with the law offices of Reeves Aiken & Hightower who prepared to handle any type of Homicide or Felony conviction that walks through the door. You can contact our South Carolina office at 803 548 4444, or our North Carolina office at 704 499 9000. We can also be contacted toll-free at 877 374 5999.
