Mistrial declared in Vandross case

Jury deadlock shocks victim's family

January 21, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Two families got no closure.
A jury impaneled to decide the innocence or guilt of a Greenwood man accused of killing a local man and kidnapping a woman failed to reach a verdict Friday after 7 1/2 hours of deliberation.
Charles Vandross, 42, is charged with murder in the shooting death of Sanford Best and kidnapping in the alleged abduction of Joanne Suber Wilson, a woman to whom Vandross had been engaged.
Best, a longtime friend of the woman, was staying at Wilson’s house at 3938 McCormick Highway on Nov. 4, 2004 and was found shot in the head lying in Wilson’s bed.
Wilson testified that Vandross jerked her out of bed and duct-taped her hands then commanded her, at gunpoint, to drive her car to a secluded churchyard where he went on a jealous rant and threatened to kill her three sons.
Just before 6 a.m., Wilson testified, Vandross relented, and they drove back to her house so she could prepare her sons to catch the bus to school. She called 911 on a cell phone, and Vandross was arrested, with a handgun in his pocket, standing in Wilson’s back yard.
He also is charged with first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
“Yes, we wanted a verdict,” said Dennis Adams, Best’s uncle. “The state did a good job putting forth the evidence. The gunshot residue (test) showed it was primary powder, proving (Vandross) pulled the trigger.
“When I came here from Florida, I came with an open mind. The state’s evidence persuaded me of a guilty verdict.”
But there apparently was not enough evidence to persuade two members of the 12-member general sessions court jury that spent three days on the trial.
At-large Circuit Judge James Barber declared the mistrial in the late morning Friday, after the jury had struggled with the verdicts for 2 ½ hours. The jury deliberated five hours on Thursday.
The jury forewoman sent Barber a note saying that two jurors were too prejudiced to reach a guilty verdict, and she asked for a private meeting with the judge.
Barber denied the private meeting request, while the jury was impaneled, but declared the mistrial, meaning that Vandross can be tried again on the four charges with a different jury.
“The jury has reached a point where it cannot reach a verdict,” Barber said. “It’s not a rare situation when a jury can’t agree because, in South Carolina, it requires a unanimous verdict in all matters that come before it.”
Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace and defense attorney Adam Bacot met with members of the victim’s and defendant’s families shortly after the mistrial was declared.
Peace said he tentatively is looking at May for a retrial. Vandross could have received sentences of life without parole for the murder and burglary charges, 30 years for the kidnapping charge and five years for the weapon charge.
“This has been a very emotional and troubling time for the family,” Adams said. “(Sanford) was a good man, a churchgoer. His pastor spoke highly of him.”
Best was the father of four children and had seven brothers and sisters. He moved to Greenwood about 15 years ago, brother Buddy Best said.
“His mother has had two heart attacks since the murder,” Adams said. “I just want the jury and the people to know he was a good man, a hard worker, and the state had a great case. There was so much evidence.”
Throughout the three-day trial, Vandross was writing on a pad and passing notes to his defense counsel. Two of his sisters said he has experience in helping “the underdog” with legal aid.
“He’s a brilliant mind,” sister Gina Martin said. “He should have gone to law school.”
Vandross was a scholar in high school and had a scholarship to Princeton, sister Carolyn Thompson said. “He’s the last person to expect to be in this trouble,” she said. “He’s one of 10 children and he’s the last one to expect to trip up like this.”
The family originally was from South Carolina but migrated north to the Washington/Maryland area. Charles Vandross returned to the state to settle in Greenville. “He followed in the footsteps of his father,” Thompson said.
Vandross worked for a nonprofit group and was on track to become one of the organization’s high-level managers, Martin said. He also worked with Habitat for Humanity, was active in his church and was part of the effort to establish Martin Luther King Day as an official holiday in Greenville, his sisters said. He set up a foundation, Thy Kingdom Come Ministries. He has three children.
“He did a lot of legal aid in the community for the underdog,” Thompson said. “We, as a family, hope for justice and the truth to come out,” she said, “and for the Lord to have the final say-so.”
Martin and Thompson were interviewed by The Index-Journal after the jury sent its first note to Barber saying they were deadlocked after more than six hours of deliberations. Barber charged the jury to keep trying to reach verdicts.
Vandross did not testify. The defense called just one witness to counter the state’s battery of forensic experts, sheriff’s officers and three hours of emotional testimony from Wilson on Wednesday.
“We only heard one side of the story,” Martin said, “and it was tainted, from a drama queen. My brother is not guilty.”
“And whoever the shooter is,” Thompson said, “needs to be brought to justice.”

Clyde Ellison

NINETY SIX — Mary Clyde Ellison, 91, of 229 W. Main St., widow of James F. “PeeWee” Ellison, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006 at her home.
Visitation is 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ervin Gray

Services for Ervin Gray, of 1870 Emerald Road, Apt. 1-A, are 11 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Coronaca, conducted by the Rev. Willie Cannady, assisted by the Revs. Daisy Floyd and Bruce Norman. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home of his mother, 107 Bell Circle, and the home of the daughters, 706 Chipley Road.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

David Collum Horne

Mr. David Collum Horne, 54, the son of Joan Collum Horne died January 18, 2006 after a five year battle with brain tumors. He was raised in Greenwood, S.C. by his maternal grandparents, Tom and Mozelle Collum.
After graduating from Piedmont Tec and Lander University, he moved to Greenville, S.C. and had a career in textile management then as an Allstate insurance agent.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Pruitt Horne of Greenwood, S.C. and children, Melissa Horne Broad of Simpsonville, S.C. and Phillip Collum Horne of Sullivan’s Island, S.C. and two granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Alyssa Broad. He had a special relationship with his wife’s family.
David and Lynn enjoyed a second home in Washington, GA on the farm of Lynn’s sister, Reba and her husband, Lewis Brown.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2006 at Smyrna United Methodist Church, Washington, officiated by the Rev. Kathy Lamon. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Greenville County, S.C.
David was an avid golfer and animal lover, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Humane Society.
Hopkins Funeral Home, Washington, GA 706-678-2525
PAID OBITUARY

Otis L. Lindsey

Services for Otis L. “Big O” Lindsey are 2 p.m. Saturday at The House of Prayer, conducted by Apostle Charles Sunkins, assisted by the Rev. Stella Dodson. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in The Evening Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers are David Belcher, Larry Simpkins, Woodrow Thomas, Eugene Day and Willie Strong, cousins and friends of the family.
Flower bearers are Ann Childs, Tammy English, Alfadella Pinkney, Beatrice Callaham, Carolyn Thompson, cousins and friends of the family.
Honorary escorts are members of Brewer High School Class of 1968.
The family is at the home of a niece, Stacey Lindsey, 303 Davis Ave.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Maxine M. Raymond

ROWESVILLE — Maxine Moody Raymond, 85, widow of Frank Raymond, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
Born in Lake View, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Luna Barfield Moody. She was the retired owner and operator of Raymond’s Grocery and a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, both in Rowesville.
Survivors include a daughter, Helen Ouzts of Greenwood; a son, Reginald Raymond of Elgin; two sisters, Sarah Andrews and Rebecca Stubbs, both of Fairmont, N.C.; a brother, Bobby Moody of Lake View; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is 2:30 p.m. Saturday at New Hope United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. James R. Smoaks.
Visitation is at the church after services.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Helen Ouzts, 310 Marietta Drive, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, PO Box 54, Rowesville, SC 29133 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

James Rufus White

ANDERSON — James Rufus White, 75, of Baptist Village, Apt. D-5 Mauldin Street, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at An-Med Health.
Born on February 21, 1930, he was a son of the late Augustus and Pearl White. He was a member of Cross Road Baptist Church in Promised Land and was formerly employed by Clark Schwab Textile.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Reverend Bernard (Willie) White of the Promised Land Community, James Rufus (Faye) White, Jr. of Silverspring, VA and Frank White of Washington, DC; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pearlese (Charles) Frazier Williams of Greenwood and Linda (Frank) Williams of Forrestville, MD; one stepson, David Kendrick of Anderson; five sisters and brothers-in-law, Emma Jean (Johnnie) Wright, Annie Lee (Joe) Baylor, Helen (Edward) Norman, all of the Promised Land Community, Peggy (Howard) Miller of Abbeville and Mary (Sam) Leaman of Laurens; one brother and sister-in-law, Augustus (Mary) White of the Promised Land Community; a very close friend of the family Martha Ann Willingham of Anderson; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to mourn his passing. Two brothers, Henry and Joe Lewis White, predeceased him in death.
Services are 2 p.m. Sunday, January 22, 2006 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Coronaca, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Caldwell. Body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Cross Road Baptist Church Cemetery in Promised Land. Pallbearers are grandsons and nephews. Flower bearers are granddaughters and nieces. The family is at the home of a son, Reverend Bernard (Willie) White, 126 Carolyn Drive, Promised Land and at his home in Anderson.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com
PAID OBITUARY

GHS’ Sellars commits to The Citadel

January 20, 2006

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

A year ago, Greenwood High School’s Alex Sellars was on the sidelines, rehabilitating a knee injury. This week the senior made his football comeback complete, giving a verbal commitment to play for The Citadel in the fall.
Sellars is the first Eagles senior to verbally commit.
Grenwood junior Xavier Dye made a verbal commitment to Clemson in December and offensive lineman Eddie Adams has already graduated and enrolled at Clemson.
Signing Day, when seniors sign their college scholarships and make their football choices official, is Feb. 1.
Despite missing his entire junior year, recovering from a torn ACL, Sellars proved to be an important part of Greenwood’s offense.
At tight end, he caught 19 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns, and was selected to represent the Upper State in the annual North-South All-Star football game at Coastal Carolina.
“We’re very proud of Alex,” Greenwood coach Shell Dula said. “He worked very hard to come back from that ACL injury last year and did an outstanding job for us.
“I can’t say enough about his effort and hard work, and he’s heading to a good program at The Citadel.” Sellars said he also had scholarship offers from Appalachian State, Western Carolina and Coastal Carolina, and made an official visit to Appalachian State last weekend.
But he enjoyed The Citadel so much on his Jan. 7 visit, Sellars said he knew it was the school for him. “I like that it’s in Charleston, I liked the players when I made my visit and I think the coaching staff is very good,” Sellars said.
“There’s not really a history of military service in my family, but I thought it would be a really good experience.”
Sellars will be the second member of the Eagles on The Citadel roster.
Former GHS offensive lineman Tanner Jordan played for the Bulldogs this year as a freshman.
The Citadel went 4-7 in 2005 for Kevin Higgins in his first year as head coach.
Even though the Bulldogs haven’t enjoyed much on-field success recently, Sellars said he was excited about playing for an improving team.
“I think coach Higgins is a good coach, they have a lot of good players coming in and have a good chance to win the Southern Conference,” he said.
At 6-foot-5, Sellars would be the tallest receiver on The Citadel roster. The Bulldogs aren’t afraid to throw to their tight ends either, as last year three players combined for 33 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
“They play two tight ends, and they talked about flexing me out to wide receiver in some formations,” Sellars said.
“Hopefully I can come in and contribute right away.”

Spend, spend on schools, but one thing says it all

January 20, 2006

Write your own editorial!
Another national report has graded South Carolina’s public schools. There are some pluses, it appears, but such reports can be misleading.
The new report, for example, ranks the Palmetto State second in the nation on its efforts to improve teacher quality and for raising its academic standards and level of accountability.
State Supt. of Education Inez Tenenbaum was pleased. “Together these are key elements to improving student achievement; top quality teachers holding students to world-class academic standards in schools that are accountable for producing results,” she said.

ON THE OTHER HAND, critics say the report doesn’t measure up to reality in South Carolina schools. For instance, Ed McMullen, president of the South Carolina Policy Council, a conservative group in Columbia, said, “It’s the same old stuff. Obviously, what we’ve got is the American Federation of Teachers, a teachers union, grading South Carolina on how well we regulate and fulfill the mission of the teachers union.” He said state standards are high, but student performance isn’t reaching them.
The report did take information from ratings made by the American Federation of Teachers union in grading South Carolina on standards and accountability.
The pros and cons can be debated forever ….. and supporters and critics are likely to do just that. One thing, though, stands out like that ol’ sore thumb. South Carolina ranks last – repeat, last – in the nation in graduation rates.

THAT, IN THE FINAL analysis, is the one ranking that should get everyone’s attention. We can spend, and spend some more, we can have “education” lotteries, we can do all kinds of things ….. and we do. Still, we’re dead last in graduating students. That and reading problems alone are enough to keep education in South Carolina’s public schools in the proper perspective …. and that’s educating our children so they can go on to higher learning.
We may be doing a lot of things right, to be sure. It seems obvious, though, we’re not doing enough right to get students through school ….. all the way through.
Write your own editorial!