Jurors for Bixby’s murder trial
to come from Chesterfield County

July 11, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Jurors for the trial of a man charged in the shooting deaths of two Abbeville County lawmen will come from Chesterfield County, a judge ruled Monday.
Tenth Circuit Judge Alexander Macaulay issued the order after months of speculation on what county would supply the jury pool for the double murder case of Steven Bixby, who is charged in connection with the December 2003 shooting deaths of Abbeville Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wilson and constable Donnie Ouzts, said Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace.
The trial is set to take place in October in Abbeville County.
Macaulay took over the case in October 2005 after the case’s original judge, Marc Westbrook, was killed in a vehicle wreck in September of that year.
Westbrook had ruled that another county’s jurors would hear Bixby’s trial, but the issue was left unresolved with Westbrook’s death, along with the issue of where the trial should take place. In December 2005, Macaulay ruled that the trial would take place in Abbeville County.
Peace said the decision to get a jury from another county came from concern that the case had gained too much attention for an impartial jury to be found in Abbeville County.
“This was a significant case covered by the media,” Peace said. “We wanted to make sure that (Steven) Bixby received a fair trial.”
Peace said Chester, Chesterfield and Lancaster counties had been recommended by the state in response to the defense’s change-of-venue motion. The counties have similar demographics to Abbeville County.
Steven Bixby and father Arthur are charged with two counts of murder in connection with the shootings, which happened after Wilson and Ouzts went to the Bixby home to settle a road-widening dispute.
Authorities said Ouzts went to the home, on S.C. 72, after Wilson stopped responding to dispatchers.
Ouzts was gunned down before reaching the door, reports said, and it is thought that Wilson was killed when he first arrived or shortly thereafter.
Law enforcement officers swarmed the home in what would become a 13-hour standoff that was described by the State Law Enforcement Division chief as the fiercest law enforcement gun battle in state history.
Rita Bixby, Steven’s mother, was arrested at a nearby apartment complex on the day of the standoff. She has been charged with conspiracy, accessory before the fact to murder and misprision of a felony.
The state is seeking the death penalty against Steven and Rita, Peace said. No trial date has been set for Rita.

Post 20 wins, 11-0

Miller tosses no-hitter as Greenwood rolls in state playoffs

July 11, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Baseball players from Inman must hate to see Brandon Miller coming.
In May, Miller, then playing for Emerald High School, tossed a no-hitter against Chapman High School, which is located in Inman.
On Monday night Miller, now pitching for Greenwood American Legion Post 20, threw another no-hitter, this time against Inman Post 45.
Miller’s arm, plus Post 20’s hot bats, propelled the squad to an 11-0 playoff victory over Inman at Legion Field. The best three-of-five first round series continues 7 tonight at Inman.
Miller couldn’t put his finger on why he does so well against squads from the city of Inman.
“I don’t know, I just do well against those guys,” Miller said. “That Chapman game was a playoff game and tonight was playoffs, so I guess I just do well against them in the playoffs.”
While it is customary for teammates of a pitcher in the midst of a no-hitter to keep quiet about it during the game, so as not to jinx the pitcher, Miller said his squad didn’t follow suit.
“They were giving me a hard time,” Miller said, with a broad smile. “They kept saying, ‘You’ve got to keep the no-no going, Brandon.’”
Greenwood coach Billy Dean Minor said his team will need to be prepared for a refreshed Inman team tonight.
“Our guys have to understand the scoreboard will be wiped clean (tonight),” Minor said. “I know Inman will come out and play very hard.”
Post 20 jumped on the scoreboard immediately in the bottom of the first. Trey Wimmer reached on a fielder’s choice, then slid into second after a wild pitch by Andrew Brooks. Cruse Tollison then brought Wimmer around to score by smoking a ringing single through the middle.
Greenwood left two runners on the basepaths in the first, but still found itself ahead 1-0.
After reaching base on a line drive single, John Wilson found his way to the plate on an error. Inman shortstop Jake Rollins booted a Kyle Behrendt ground ball, then spun around several times looking for the ball.
During his search, Wilson burned around the basepaths, eventually putting Greenwood ahead 2-0.
Post 20 wasn’t done, however. Wimmer then strode to the plate and busted a 2-2 Brooks fastball deep into the gap in left centerfield. Behrendt and Brent Wham came in to score, putting Greenwood ahead 4-0 heading to the top of the third.
Greenwood’s hit parade continued in the bottom of the third.
Post 20’s Nick Milford had the big bang in the inning.
Milford pounded a Brooks pitch over the head of Inman right fielder Mike McAbee.
Keith Hill and Matt Titus raced in for a pair of runs on the play, making it 6-0.

Obituaries

Ruth Parker Bayne

POWDERSVILLE — Ruth Parker Bayne, 91, widow of the Rev. Willis T. Bayne, died Monday, July 10, 2006.
Born in Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late George Henry and Katie McIntyre Parker.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruby B. Young of Greenwood and Rachel Brennan of Powdersville; a son, Russell A. Bayne of Powdersville; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at The Carpenter’s House. Burial is in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is 7-8:30 tonight at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest, Greenville, is in charge.

Berta Day

GREENWOOD — Alberta Perrin Day, 85, of 1110 Marshall Road, wife of Tom R. Day, Jr., died Monday, July 10, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she was a daughter of the late Lea B. and Helen Wentz Perrin. She received her BS degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA and received additional training from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh and Lake Erie College, Painesville, OH. Mrs. Day taught grade school in Ohio. She volunteered with the Hearing Impaired Co-op, Houston, TX, York County Museum, Rock Hill, SC and served as a counselor at the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood. She was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Hand Bell Choir, was a past member and chairperson of many church committees, was a member of the Hut Class and the United Methodist Women.
Surviving is her husband of the home; two sons, John L. Day of Silver Spring, MD and Dr. Richard P. Day of Madison, WI; a sister, Barbara Perrin Dunn of Greenwood; three grandchil-dren, Christopher H. Day, Sarah E. Day and Heather Krakora and two great grandchildren.
Services will be announced.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Roy P. Dukes

GREENWOOD — Roy P. Dukes, 79, of 306 Grove Street and formerly of 440 Burnett Road, widower of Margaret Campbell Dukes, died Sunday, July 9, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Willie P. and Mary Scott Dukes. He was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant, where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club and served as a cottage parent for Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. He was a US Army veteran of World War II and was a lifelong member of Real Life Ministries, where he served as secretary-treasurer, was a deacon and an usher.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Timothy A. Hollingsworth.
Surviving is a daughter, Judy Hollingsworth of Leesville; a son, Jerry P. Dukes of Greenwood; two sisters, Elizabeth Dukes and Willie B. Garron, both of Greenwood; a brother, Willie Rayford Dukes of Greenwood; six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Real Life Ministries with the Rev. Jason McCary and the Rev. Jerry Catoe officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Bryan Guzman, Eric Dukes, Heath Hollingsworth, Brent Hollingsworth, James Whitten and Jeff Grayson. Honorary escorts will be the men of Real Life Ministries along with Bob Edwards.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The family is at the home of his son, Jerry Dukes, 370 Burnett Road.
Memorials may be made to Real Life Ministries, 435 E. Durst Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Thornwell Home for Children, PO Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Sara JoAnne Pate

NEWBURGH, Ind. — Sara JoAnne Morrow Pate, 61, wife of Charles Pate, died Saturday, July 8, 2006 at Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., she was a daughter of Sara E. Talbert Corley and the late Bruce W. Morrow. She was a retired customer sales representative for Sige Co. and a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband of the home; her mother and stepfather, Ray Corley of Enoree, S.C.; a son, Bruce Pate of Evansville, Ind.; two daughters, JoAnne Welsh of St. Louis and Terri Brooks of Evansville; three brothers, Herman Morrow and Jerry Morrow, both of Greenwood and Ray Morrow of Honea Path, S.C.; seven grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. today at Wallace-Burns Funeral Home, Cloverport, Ky. Burial is in Cloverport Cemetery.
Visitation is 10-1 today at the funeral home.
Wallace-Burns Funeral Home, Cloverport, Ky., is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wallace-burnsfuneralhome.com

Ashley Williams

Ashley Brooke Williams, 22, of S.C. Mentors, formerly of Emerald Center, died Thursday, July 6, 2006 at her supervised living home in Hopkins.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Deidre Ann and Michael Peace.
Survivors include her parents of Calhoun Falls; a sister, Amanda Nichole and a brother, Michael Brandon, both of Calhoun Falls; her grandparents, Owen and Olivia Williams of Callison, Linda and James Fain of Calhoun Falls and Maurice and Gay Peace of Aiken.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Greenwood Church of Christ.
Memorials may be made to Southeastern Children’s Home, PO Box 339, Duncan, SC 29334.
The Cremation Society of S.C. and S.C. Mentors are in charge.

Opinion

Did challenge to governor begin before the primary?

July 11, 2006

Before the recent primary elections in South Carolina a rumor (or was it?) was floating around that state Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, was planning to run against Gov. Mark Sanford, also a Republican. So, then, the fact that Knotts is collecting signatures on a petition to get himself on the general election ballot in November should not surprise anyone.
The motivation for Knotts’ candidacy, it is said, goes back to a Sanford veto of a Lexington Hospital heart program. It did create a lot of flak for the governor and that indeed may be part of the Knotts decision. Chances are, though, that Knotts is supported by a number of fellow members of the General Assembly who resent the governor’s challenge to the status quo in the Statehouse.

HISTORICALLY, THE LEGISLATIVE branch has held the power in the Palmetto State. When anyone challenges it, and that includes the governor, a lot of noses are knocked out of joint and the die is cast.
One scenario, of course, is that if Knotts could get enough of the Lexington vote in November it would take away from Sanford’s totals and maybe help defeat him. The rumors before the primary elections also mentioned that political ploy, which some figure would temper Sanford’s challenge to powerful legislators.
The question has to come down to one thing. Do South Carolina Republicans of the Knotts variety have such a dislike of Sanford that they want to hurt him enough to put Democrat Tommy Moore in the governor’s office?

SANFORD’S CAMP HAS TO BE wondering. With “friends” like that, who needs enemies?
But, then, don’t discount the possibility of some legislative Republicans joining some Democrats to do whatever they can to bring Sanford down.
Maybe it’s like a “we’ll show him not to mess with us response” to what legislators consider meddling by the governor. When the boat of power is rocked by a challenger, what better way to get rid of the threat to legislative prerogatives than by doing it together? Forget political differences, it’s power that counts ..... right?
Strange political bedfellows? It’s not a new thing, even in South Carolina. You have to wonder, though, what the voters think of it all and how they will react ..... Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

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