Judge in Steven Bixby murder case
will have hearing on trial’s status

November 30, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

ABBEVILLE — A man accused of killing two county lawmen nearly two years ago will have a hearing before the second judge assigned to preside over his death penalty trial.
The hearing for Steven Bixby will be “to talk administratively to see where we are in the case,” Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace said. Tenth Circuit Judge Alexander Macaulay will preside at the Dec. 19 hearing at the Abbeville County Courthouse.
Macaulay was assigned in October to preside over Bixby’s trial after the original judge, Marc Westbrook, was killed in a double-fatal vehicle wreck in Edgefield County Sept. 15. Westbrook’s law clerk also died.
Westbrook had decided in August that Steven Bixby’s trial would be heard by a jury from a county other than Abbeville. Which county had not been determined, nor had the question of whether the trial would be in Abbeville.
By Westbrook’s order, Sheriff Charles Goodwin prepared a security plan for the county courthouse and submitted it to the court. Westbrook was to have decided if the plan was sufficient to ensure Steven Bixby’s safety during trial.
Peace said those issues will be decided by Macaulay, but he could not be specific on which issues the judge will consider at the upcoming hearing.
The hearing date had been changed twice from two other dates in December because of scheduling conflicts, Peace said.
Macaulay will set Bixby’s trial date, Peace said, in accordance with a state law that specifies trial dates in capital cases are set by the presiding judge, not the solicitor.
The Dec. 19 hearing is just for Steven Bixby. His mother, Rita Bixby, also is charged in connection with the Dec. 8, 2003 deaths of Abbeville Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wilson and constable Donnie Ouzts. At hearings before Westbrook in August in Abbeville, Steven Bixby and Rita Bixby appeared in court.
Macaulay has jurisdiction over both Steven Bixby’s and Rita Bixby’s cases, by an order signed by S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal.
Rita’s husband, Arthur Bixby, who is Steven Bixby’s father, also is charged with murder in the slayings of Wilson and Ouzts, but his case has not progressed in court as far as the other cases.
Steven Bixby and Arthur Bixby are charged with killing Wilson and Ouzts over a land dispute regarding the widening of S.C. 72 through Abbeville. They held law enforcement at bay for 14 hours at the Bixby home at 4 Union Church Road.
Rita Bixby recently was allowed to return to the home to retrieve personal items that could be used in her defense trial, based on an order issued by Westbrook after the hearing in August.
Steven Bixby and Rita Bixby will be tried separately. Peace previously has said Steven Bixby’s trial could be conducted in January, but following Westbrook’s death that was uncertain as the jurisdiction was transferred to Macaulay.
Rita Bixby is charged with accessory before the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and misprison of a felony, which means failure to report the planning of a crime.
Steven Bixby and Arthur Bixby are charged with two counts of murder.

Annie Mae Cockrell

SALUDA — Annie Mae Kneece Cockrell, 80, of 148 Chappells Highway, widow of Allen “Square” Cockrell, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Grover C. and Annie Johnikin Kneece. She was a homemaker and a member of Red Bank Baptist Church.
Survivors include a son, Allie Cockrell of Johnston; two sisters, Earline Rushton and Beatrice Cockrell, both of Saluda; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Ramey Funeral Home. Burial is in Red Bank Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Linus Taylor, 371 Double Bridges Road, Batesburg, SC 29006.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.

Magdalene Morgan

Services for Magdalene ‘Nick’ Morgan, of 108 Richard St., are 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, conducted by the Rev. Charlie Myles. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are great-nephews Keytoria Martin, Benjamin Davis, Robert Sayles, Jerome Brown, Tavious Morgan and Leon Ebo.
Flower bearers are great-nieces Phonecia McBride, Tiffany Martin, RoShonda Morgan, Maranda Martin and Keisha Morgan.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at the home.
Robinson and Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Joan Scott

HOLLISTER, FL – Joan Scott, 47, of Hollister, FL, died Sunday, November 27, 2005 at Shands at UF in Gainesville, FL following an extended illness. A native of Dalton, Georgia, she had resided in Hollister since 1979 coming from Antheville, South Carolina. Along with her mother, “Joannie” owned and operated Styles Unlimited and Joannie’s Classquie beauty shops. Since moving to Putnam County, Joan was a vital part of the community having served in many organizations, including past president of the band boosters at Interlachen High School, 3-time past president of the ladies auxiliary of VFW Post 10164 and past president of Florida district 14 of the ladies auxiliary, a social member of Fleet Reserve Association Branch #183 and a member of the Fishing Club of Interlachen. Joannie was also instrumental in starting several community events including the Toys for Tots in Interlachen, the annual Easter Egg hunt for the kids and the annual car show held at the 4th of July Celebration. Always looking to help and share with others, Joannie also organized many food drives at Christmas and other times throughout the year.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Ken Scott of Hollister, a son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Caroline Scott of Saluda, SC, 2 daughters and son-in-law, Kristi and Cornell Carter of Hollister and Marian Scott of Greenwood, SC, her mother and step-father, Jo and William “Bubba” Stewart of Hollister, her father and step-mother, Harold and Liz Malone of Elijay, GA, a brother, Brian Stewart, sta-tioned at NAS – Jacksonville, FL and a sister, Kelly Jones of Keystone Heights, FL, 3 grandchildren, Kortney Carter, Kandice Carter andLane Scott and a nephew, Austin Jones.
Services celebrating Joannie’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 1, 2005 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Interlachen, FL with Rev. Scott O’Neil officiating. Burial will follow in PineView Cemetery in Interlachen.
Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home from 6-8 P.M.
Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Interlachen,FL is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Jean Timmerman

Ruby Thompson “Jean” Timmerman, 83, of 102 Pope St., wife of William F. “Buddy” Timmerman, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late John G. and Ruby Davenport Thompson. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and a member of Lowell Street United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of Clinton; a son, Richard “Bones” Timmerman of Abbeville; a daughter, Dianna T. Kauserud of Charlotte, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Dick Waldrep.
Visitation is at the funeral home after the service.
The family is at the home of “Bones” and Joan Timmerman, 202 Edenberry Lane, Dungannon Estates, Abbeville.
Memorials may be made to Lowell Street United Methodist Church, 300 Lowell Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Lander teams to begin Peach Belt play

November 30, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The games are about to get a little more important for the Lander University men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Lander will travel tonight for a doubleheader at UNC Pembroke to begin Peach Belt Conference play. The women’s game will tip-off at 5:30, while the men will get started at 7:30.
Through the first five games, the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats have been heading in opposite directions and varying from preseason expectations.
The men, which finished 17-11 record a year ago and were picked fourth in the PBC preseason coaches poll, have gotten off to a 1-4 start, including Saturday’s 87-68 loss to Newberry. The loss was Lander’s first to Newberry in 20 games.
“We’re not worried as much about UNC Pembroke as we are about getting Lander straightened out,” said Bearcats coach Bruce Evans. “We’re really pressing right now. We just haven’t shot the ball well. Our guys need to relax on offense and take what the defense gives us.”
The Lady Bearcats, on the other hand, have started the season with a 3-2 record. The team, which has only nine players, was picked last in the PBC in the preseason poll. First-year coach Kevin Pederson said he has been pleased with the team’s start.
“I don’t think anyone besides us expected we’d be 3-2 right now,” Pederson said. “It’s exciting. I think we’ll be better than people expected as the year goes along.”
The men’s team will be squaring off with a Braves squad averaging 81 points per game. UNCP (2-3) presses at the defensive end and likes to get the ball to the rim as quickly and as often as possible.
The team’s leading scorer is forward Jeffrey Brown, who is averaging 17.7 points per game over the last three contests. Evans said the Bearcats must guard against being too vigilant of Brown.
“The PBC is full of guys that can score,” Evans said. “We need to keep a watchful eye on a guy like Brown. At the same time, a team like Pembroke has a number of guys that can hurt you if you focus on one man. It’s important to find that balance.”
Evans said he would like to take some of the pressure off his guards, which have struggled shooting from the perimeter. According to Evans, one way the Bearcats can do that against UNCP is to get increased production from their big men, such as power forward Scottie Smith, who is leading Lander with five rebounds per game.
“Scottie is definitely one of the guys that could really give us a lift down low,” Evans said. “He is leading us in rebounds, but we’ll need more from him in terms of points and boards.”
Evans said the team could also benefit from creating more baskets through its defense, turning steals and blocks into breakaway layups.
The Lady Bearcats will be facing a 4-0 UNCP team that is only allowing opponents 57 points per game. Meanwhile, the Lady Braves average 71 points per game. They were the regular season Peach Belt champions a year ago.
“It’s going to be tough,” Pederson said. “They are still undefeated, and playing well. Our players are excited about playing them and trying to put the first blemish on their record. You always want to be the one that knocks off the undefeated team.”
Pederson said he thinks the key to the game will be which team controls the pace. UNCP coach John Haskins is known for his deliberate offensive style, where as Lander likes to play at a much faster speed, pushing the ball up the court and firing 3-pointers from the wings.
Despite having limited manpower, the Lady Bearcats have made the most of what they have to work with so far. At no point was this more evident than in last Saturday’s 73-68 win over Virginia Union.
It was in that game walk-on reserve forward Bobby Jo Grooms notched a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
“Bobby Jo is the perfect example of what we want to do,” Pederson said. “She’s a blue collar player and she is coachable.”
Evans said he is looking forward to jumping into Peach Belt play.
“Regardless of what has happened so far, now we are entering our most important games,” Evans said. “We’re excited about traveling to Pembroke for what I’m sure will be a very competitive game.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Anti-Christmas attitudes impact every other faith

November 30, 2005

It keeps going from bad to worse. It is a transgression against the majority of not only Christians who celebrate the season, it’s an affront to all Americans who have always joined in the festivities associated with this most holy observance of the birth of Christ.
The decisions to turn any mention of Christmas into something secular are increasing. That, of course, most Christians in South Carolina simply do not accept. It’s an offensive gesture not likely to encourage them to turn the other cheek, either. Even for many non-Christians it’s a ridiculous exercise that is contrary to a way of life that is steeped in history and custom.
For some time it has been noticeable – and a slap in the face – that some businesses, and others, have made a conscious effort to eliminate the “Merry Christmas” greeting from their operations. Expressions of “Happy Holidays,” to be sure, just don’t get it done.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS, TOO, have taken a hit as the movement expands ….. and it certainly appears to be a movement. Now there was one act that should have been in Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not.” The City of Boston changed the name of its Christmas tree to “holiday” tree. That was not only offensive, it was absurd. Boston, of course, has a history of banning all kinds of things, but this? The public rebelled, though, and Boston relented.
The obvious perpetrators of the movement are not representative of other religions. In this country, where freedom of religion is a right and not a privilege, the holy days and customs of all religions have always been accepted and respected by all others. Those pushing to take Christ out of Christmas, it seems, are secular organizations or persons who apparently have no religious beliefs. So, in effect, they seek to deny others their beliefs ….. in this case, Christians.

DESTROYING THE SANCTITY of the celebration of the birth of Christ could easily be considered the first step toward removing religion – any and all religions - from public, everyday life. That, to be sure, would also destroy the support we give each other. It would erode the ties that bind Americans as Americans.
The First Amendment to the Constitution, of course, says no law – no law – shall be made regarding the establishment of religion. There should be no doubt that was included to deny the state the power to establish a state-supported religion of any kind. In no way does it deny any of us the right to express our religion, wherever we might be. Some, however, as is now obvious, would take that right away. To reiterate, it wouldn’t just apply to Christians, it would hit every religion.
Americans have kept their customs and beliefs, and others have fought for that right for all. Now is no time to stop fighting for that right ….. which includes saying Merry Christmas ….. everywhere.