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 West Main Street, widow of James F. “PeeWee” Ellison, died Thursday, January 19, 2006 at her home.
Born in Stillmore, GA, she was a daughter of the late Buford and Bessie Smith. She was a retired cosmetologist and was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Mattie Hazel Circle.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Sybil Pearson.
Surviving are two sons, Jimmy Ellison of Ninety Six and Clyde Ellison of Greenwood; a grandson and a step grandson.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steven Todd officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Perry Ellison, Greg Stevens, Richard Shealy, Eddie Ellison, Thomas Edmonds, Ray Berry, Ronnie Edmonds and Jimmy Werts.
Honorary escort will be Norma Marler, Lottie Morton, Charles McCall, Janie Mae Pope, Howard Logan, Sara Shealy, William Long, Lee and Karen Breasbois and Tommy and Tina Price.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Annie Lee Terry

HODGES — Annie Lee Terry, 87, of 4518 Cokesbury Road, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Hancock County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Thomas Brooks. She was a homemaker and a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Survivors include two sons, Clinton Jones of Atlanta and Willie B. Jones of Rochester, N.Y.; four daughters, Mrs. Johnny (Mary) Williams of Rochester, Mrs. James (Shelly) Raines and Judy Williams, both of Hodges, Mrs. Claude (Wylene) Simmons of Clinton; 15 grandchildren; six reared in the home, Stephanie Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., Charles Davis of Oklahoma City, Velma Yeldell, Johnnie Davis and Brenda White, all of Greenwood, Audrey Davis of Greenville; 15 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home and at 4521 Cokesbury Road.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Dr. Casper Wiggins

GREENWOOD — Casper E. Wiggins, M.D., 86, resident of 169 Rutledge Road, husband of Virginia Mauldin Wiggins, died January 20, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Columbia June 18, 1919, he was a son of the late Rev. L.E. and Sallie McLean Wiggins. He spent his childhood in many South Carolina towns, graduating from Greenwood High School as its first student body president in 1938. After graduation from Wofford College in 1942, he taught in the city schools of Anderson followed by a period of radio work at WIS in Columbia. He attended the Medical University of S.C., receiving an M.D. Degree in 1949.
After completing his internship and residencies at Columbia and Charity Hospitals, Dr. Wiggins opened a Pediatric practice in Greenwood in 1952. In 1974 he was joined by Dr. John Moore and in 1977 by Dr. Howard Trent.
Dr. Wiggins was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, having served as Chairman of the S.C. Chapter from 1969-74. He served on the School Health Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a past president of the South Carolina Pediatric Society. Dr. Wiggins directed the Crippled Children’s Clinic of the Greenwood County Health Department from 1971-75 and retired from his active practice in 1984.
In 1984 he was presented the William Weston Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Pediatrics and in 1989 received the Career Achievement Award presented by the S.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
He was a life long member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Dr. Wiggins married the former Virginia Mauldin of Anderson in 1943 and was the devoted father of four children, Casper Wiggins, Jr. of Mooresville, NC, Sally Wiggins Speth of Columbia, Charles Mauldin Wiggins of Greenwood and Ginny Wiggins Woods of Middlesboro, KY; grand-children, Laura, Virginia, Robert and Sarah Wiggins, Maggie, Mark and Grayson Woods and Anna Mauldin Speth.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 pm Sunday at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. James Dennis, Dr. Ted Morton and Rev. E.H. “Woody” Wiggins officiating.
A private family burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens prior to the service.
The family is at the home in Forest Hills and will receive friends immediately following the memorial service in the church Vestibule.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, 211 N. Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home is assisting the Wiggins family.
PAID OBITUARY

Tigers duo too strong for Vikings

Deloach scores 24, Holloway 20 as Saluda wins region game

January 21, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

SALUDA — It was a two-man show for the Saluda High School boys basketball team Friday night.
The Tigers defeated Emerald, 64-52, Friday in front of a sellout crowd at Saluda High School. The win vaults Saluda to 14-4 overall and 3-1 in Region III-AA play, while Emerald falls to 12-6 overall and 2-2 in the region.
Saluda was paced by the duo of Trevor Deloach and Markese Holloway. Deloach poured in a game-high 24 points, while Holloway added 20. The duo came up with several key hoops down the stretch, including a back-to-back thunderous slam dunks, with each player jamming one home.
“Both of those guys played so well in the end, and they played smart,” Saluda coach Jimmy Kinard said. “I can’t say enough about the way they each played within themselves in the fourth quarter.”
Deloach said the win was a must for the Tigers.
“We already lost one game in the region against Newberry,” Deloach said. “I still don’t know how we lost that one. That made this one more important. I just wanted the win.”
Emerald didn’t make it easy for Saluda. Particularly troublesome for the Tigers was Emerald senior forward Dan Wideman. Wideman dumped in 20 points, with the majority of his baskets coming on putbacks of offensive rebounds.
“I told our guys in the locker room at half that if they didn’t get a handle on Dan Wideman, we were going to get beat,” Kinard said. “We did better in the second half. Dan still played well, but we did enough to contain him better.”
Another aspect that came to the forefront in the contest was the large and rowdy crowd in attendance. Throughout the game the Saluda student section — dubbed The Jerks — and a sizeable contingent that made the trip from Emerald battled back with chants and cheers.
Kinard appreciated the audience’s effort.
“That’s proof of a big Region III-AA game,” Kinard said. “The crowds from both schools were tremendous, which is what we want here at Saluda.”
Saluda raced ahead in the hectic first quarter.
The game opened with Holloway nailing two layups deep inside the paint.
Accordingly, Wideman then answered with two hard fought baskets of his own.
Saluda gained a foothold of the trubulent opening quarter when freshman Tevin Brooks rained in a 3-pointer with 37 seconds left in the first. Saluda held a 14-8 advantage heading into the second quarter.
Emerald battled back before halftime. In fact, the Vikings seemed headed to the locker room tied, as the score was knotted at 26-26 with just seconds left in the half. However, Deloach secured the lead for his squad with a tremendous individual play.
The lanky shooting guard dribbled at the top of the key as the final ten seconds of the half ticked away. Double-covered and seemingly without a good look at the basket, Deloach elevated above his defenders, fell backwards, and swished a 22-foot 3-pointer and was fouled in the process. His subsequent free throw sent Saluda to the locker room with a 30-26 lead.
I was just trying to do what I had to do to help our team to a win,” Deloach said. “It felt good to beat a team like Emerald.”

EHS girls stay perfect in region

January 21, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

SALUDA — The Emerald girls basketball team made sure to make its presence felt from the opening tip Friday.
The Lady Vikings defeated Saluda, 55-30, Friday night at Saluda High School. Emerald is now 4-0 in Region III-AA play.
Emerald jumped out to a 14-2 lead after the first quarter, and the game was never in question beyond that point. Emerald coach Anarie Duckett said it was by design that her team raced out to the early advantage.
“We knew getting on this team early was key,” Duckett said. “We never play well down here since they built this new gym, so we knew we had to get what we could early. We watched film on them yesterday, and it helped quite a bit.”
Emerald center Elizabeth Nicholson led all scorers with 21 points. She scored 12 of her team’s 14 first-quarter points.
“We weren’t necessarily trying to force it to Elizabeth,” Duckett said. “It was just in the flow of the game. I think she felt challenged by (Saluda center Allison Lake) and wanted to take it at her and get her some early fouls.”
After its opening quarter barrage, Emerald maintained its lead in the second quarter, despite increased effort from Saluda.
The Lady Tigers opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run, getting a long 3-pointer from K’Mara Myers and a spinning, twisting layup from Tokia Yeldell.
Emerald responded quickly, however. Brittany Connor ripped a steal and went coast-to-coast, laying the ball softly into the basket with her left hand.
Nicholson’s back door bank shot with 10 seconds remaining in the half sent Emerald to halftime with a 25-12 lead.
The Lady Vikings increased their lead further in the third quarter.
Despite a second half-opening 3-pointer from Saluda’s Myers, Emerald put on a long-distance display of its own. Connor grabbed a long offensive rebound and calmly stroked a 3-pointer from the left wing. On the next Emerald possession, Nicholson came off a screen and swished a 3 of her own from straight away. The Lady Vikings were securely ahead, 36-17, heading to the fourth quarter.

Speeders are a menace to other drivers in town

January 21, 2006

Speeding vehicles are a menace. However, you usually expect to see them out on the Interstates and other highways. In fact, a recent report showed that in the last 20 years, more traffic fatalities involving speeding occurred in South Carolina than in any other state.
In Greenwood, though, it’s a different story. Speeding is a routine occurrence right in the middle of town.
It almost has the appearance of a NASCAR race through town when heavy-footed and scatter-brained drivers ignore speed limits, and they do it all the time. That’s an over-dramatization, you say? Something taken to the extreme ….. exaggeration? Multiple violations of the speed laws are obvious.

CHECK THE CARS AND TRUCKS as the zip down Main Street in the Uptown area.
Stand on the sidewalks bordering Phoenix Street and watch the vehicles going south – actually, both ways – from the old post office. It’s a speed show. At times, if you try to cross , look both ways ….. and think twice before doing it.
There are speeders through residential areas, too, of course, and they present a clear and present danger all by themselves. But that’s another story.
When speeding is a threat to lives in the city’s wide, wide square, though, it’s a problem that needs attention. Breaking the speed laws there shows contempt for the law and not a small degree of arrogance. It should be out of the question.

CITY POLICE AND COUNTY and state law enforcement agents do what they can to uphold traffic laws. They cannot be everywhere at all times, obviously, so their presence can’t always serve as a speed deterrent.
Nevertheless, if a few tickets for speeding were given on Main and Phoenix Streets regularly, or even periodically, the speed law scofflaws might eventually learn that laws apply to everybody. As it is, too many of them seem to think they aren’t included.
Police sometimes are criticized for giving tickets. Why? They aren’t to blame for the problem. It’s inconsiderate drivers who mock those who drive with care ….. and thumb their collective noses at the rules required by society.