Greenwood woman dies in custody

June 10, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

A local woman has died in the custody of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, and the state’s main law enforcement agency is conducting an investigation, authorities said Friday.
Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey identified the woman who died as Shatica Fuller, 23, of 122 Wheatfield Drive, Greenwood. Coursey said Fuller was taken into custody Thursday after a drug buy made by agents of the sheriff’s office and was taken to the detention center.
There, officers noticed a white powder around her mouth, and before Fuller could be examined by a nurse, she went into cardiac arrest, he said.
Fuller was taken to Self Regional Medical Center and was treated for two hours, but she died there, Coursey said.
The State Law Enforcement Division and the Coroner’s Office are investigating the death, Coursey said.
“At the request of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, we do have an open investigation,” said Bobbie Schlatterer, senior agent for public relations at SLED in Columbia. She would not provide a timetable for when the investigation might be completed, and declined to say more. The sheriff’s office said it would not comment on the status of the investigation.
Coursey said an autopsy conducted at Newberry County Memorial Hospital on Friday did not show any bruises on Fuller’s body. Looking for bruises would be a normal procedure during an autopsy, but Coursey said its importance is stressed when a person dies in police custody.
Coursey said apparently Fuller had a bag containing some kind of drug in her mouth, and when it ruptured, she ingested some of the drug. Determining which drug it was is pending the return of toxicology results from Fuller’s autopsy, Coursey said.
“We have to wait on the toxicology,” Coursey said. “I am classifying the cause of death as ‘pending.’”
Coursey said samples of Fuller’s blood were taken for the autopsy and he subpoenaed blood samples taken at the hospital before Fuller was treated. A preliminary report about the death should be ready in two weeks, he said.
Coursey said SLED agents were in Greenwood Thursday night as part of the investigation. He said calling in SLED is normal procedure when a law enforcement agency is being investigated.
Fuller was a former employee of The Index-Journal in the mailroom and attended Friendship Baptist Church, according to an obituary notice.
Sheriff Dan Wideman called Fuller’s death “tragic.” He said deputies acted within department policy and state law when they arrested Fuller.
A sheriff’s office statement said Fuller was arrested for selling undercover agents an ounce of cocaine.
The statement said Fuller was arrested as a result of a traffic stop Thursday afternoon near Emerald Road and S.C. 72. Fuller put the vehicle in gear and it struck Lt. Dale Kittles, who hit the windshield but was not injured seriously. Officers had a brief struggle with Fuller and then took her to jail, where a female officer checked her for concealed narcotics.
Deputies found a small, partially chewed plastic bag of white powder, which the statement said officers think was cocaine, in her mouth. She spit the bag onto the ground, the statement said.
Much of the undercover drug investigation that led to Fuller’s arrest was recorded on digital video and audio, Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said. There also is video surveillance at the jail, he said.
Vice agents involved in the arrest return to their normal duties on Monday, after spending Friday on administrative work providing information to SLED.
SLED’s investigative report will go to Wideman and Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace, the sheriff’s office statement said.

Post 20 wins again to improve to 4-0 overall

June 10, 2006

By DAVID HAYS
Special to The Index-Journal

Greenwood Post 20 pitcher Justin Collier would have rather lost his no-hitter on a ringing hit into the outfield.
But with one out in the seventh inning, Greenville’s 23rd batter of the game, Hampton Gibbs, broke one of those unwritten rules of baseball when he ended a no-hitter with a bunt.
Gibbs dragged a bunt between the pitcher and third base, easily beating the throw. But Greenwood (4-0) went on to win the game, 7-2, Friday night at Legion Field.
“It kind of upset me,” Collier said of the bunt, which came with Greenville trailing 7-1. “I wish they would have done it with a real hit down by that many runs. If it had been a close game, I would have been all right with it.”
Post 20 Coach Billy Dean Minor didn’t complain about the bunt.
“We’ve got to be prepared to make the play. They did what they had to do,” Minor said. “Collier pitched a great game. He worked quickly. He threw strikes. He had a rhythm going.”
The closest Post 3 came to a hit before the bunt was when shortstop Kyle Behrendt made a tough over-the-shoulder catch on Jay Jackson’s fly ball to left center in the fourth. The Thornwell High School pitcher allowed the one hit in seven innings of work, while striking out six and walking two. Michael Benjamin pitched the final two innings for Greenwood.
“My changeup was confusing the batters,” Collier said. “They weren’t sure if it was a fastball or not.
“They were on top of it. I was locating it real well. And I was able to get the fastball by them.” Greenwood did plenty at the plate as well, out-hitting the visitors 12-3. Cruse Tollison and Keith Hill collected three hits apiece, while Behrendt and Nick Milford each had two hits.
“We’ve got Walhalla coming in here Monday and, going into tonight, us and them were the only undefeated teams in the league,” Minor said. “We just need to come out here Monday ready to play, and I think our kids will be prepared.”
Greenwood took a 1-0 lead in the second when leadoff man Brandon Miller was hit by a pitch, moved all the way to third on Milford’s two-out infield single to third, and scored when Brent Wham beat out a slow roller to short.
Miller being hit by a pitch factored into another run in the third.
With two outs and nobody on, Tollison fouled off three consecutive two-strike pitches before singling to right. Hill singled to left and John Wilson walked on four pitches to load the bases. Milford was hit by a 1-1 pitch to force home a run to make it 2-0.
Greenville scored without a hit in the fifth when Gibbs led off by walking on four pitches, stole second and moved to third on Justin Mohr’s sacrifice bunt. Gibbs scored when Behrendt’s throw pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing Michael Brooks to reach. It was after that when Collier was made aware of the no-hitter.
“They let me know,” said Collier, whose Thornwell career has included a two-hitter and a no-hitter into the sixth. “Somebody said, ‘Look, they have a run but not a hit.’ Because they had a run, I just figured they must have had a hit. But they didn’t.”
Post 20 stretched its lead to 5-1 in the fifth with the help of three doubles. Trey Wimmer reached on an error, moved to third on Tollison’s fly ball double just out of the right fielder’s reach, and scored on a wild pitch. Hill doubled over the center fielder’s head to score Tollison. Jackson made a diving attempt of Miller’s liner to short center but couldn’t catch it, resulting in an RBI double.
Greenwood padded its lead to 7-1 in the sixth with three more extra-base hits. Behrendt doubled and scored on Tollison’s two-out triple.
Hill’s double scored Tollison.
Benjamin escaped a bases-loaded, nobody out hole in the ninth, allowing only one run. Todd Graham was hit by a pitch, and Jackson and Ben Smith got Greenville’s second and third hits of the game. Gibbs hit a sacrifice fly to left, Benjamin picked Smith off for the second out and retired Mohr on a grounder to short to end the game.

Opinion

Sex criminals? Sure cure would solve the problem

June 10, 2006

Shock! Fear! Anger! Call it what you will, all describe how most South Carolinians felt when they heard all the details of the attack and murder of Clemson University student Tiffany Marie Souers. As much as anything, perhaps, they wonder why the man who faces murder, rape and kidnapping charges was walking around free. It was reported that Jerry Buck Inman raped a fellow inmate and tried to escape three times while in a Florida prison after other rape convictions. He was serving a 30-year sentence but he was released last September after spending only about half of that behind bars. If anything, his sentence should have been extended.

THIS TIME, IN ADDITION TO confessing to the brutal assault on Miss Souers, he also told police he attacked two other females, one in Tennessee and the other in Alabama. Under the circumstances, it’s understandable for anyone to want the harshest possible penalty for this heinous crime.
Imagining the horror of Miss Souers’ last moments has to be agonizingly painful for her parents and family. All South Carolinians, whether they were friends of Miss Souers or not, surely share the anger and disgust that this animal was on the streets when he should still be imprisoned. The fact that he had an opportunity to continue his long criminal history is inexcusable.

THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION about seeking the death penalty in this case. Considering the circumstances, that just might not be severe enough to compensate for the terror he has spread so many times against so many innocent people in so many places. In fact, there are those who firmly believe that if such convicted sex criminals are allowed to go free they should first be castrated.
Ask those who loved Miss Souers. Ask folks around Clemson and indeed all over South Carolina.
Should courts have that option ..... or duty? In the emotional atmosphere surrounding such crimes it wouldn’t be surprising if most people said yes. A better question might be why not always.
Barbaric? Had neutering been mandatory in Florida, Tiffany Marie Souers would still be alive, How barbaric was her excruciating ordeal?

Obituaries

Shatica Marie Fuller

Shatica Marie Fuller, 23, of 122 Wheatfield Drive, died Thursday, June 8, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of Willie James Fuller Jr. and Annie Lou Harrison Fuller. She formerly worked in the mailroom at The Index-Journal and attended Friendship Baptist Church.
Survivors include her parents of the home; two brothers, Vincent Harrison of Greenwood and Willie James Fuller III of the home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Mr. Billy R. McKinney

Retired US Air Force MARTINEZ, GA — Entered into rest Friday, June 9, 2006 at University Hospital, Mr. Billy R. McKinney, 74, husband of Margaret “Peggy” Vaughan McKinney.
Mr. McKinney was a native of Ninety Six, SC and a son of the late George and Viola Loftis McKinney. He retired from the US Air Force as a Tech Sgt. after 20 years. After retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by Sibley Mill Division/Graniteville Co. and remained there for 20 years. He attended Believers Gospel Chapel.
Family members in addition to his wife include his daughter: Katherine Elaine McKinney of Grovetown and her fiance, Alan Atkins of Manchester, England: son and daughter-in-law: Larry and Dianne McKinney of Athens and grandchildren: Kelsey, Austen and Conner McKinney. Mr. McKinney was preceded in death by his daughter: Cynthia Ann McKinney, his brothers: Walter McKinney, William McKinney, Fred McKinney, Dean McKinney and sisters: Mary Aiton and Lucille Johnson.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 12, 2006 at 11:00 in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park with Full Military Honors.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 2050 Walton Way, Suite 208, Augusta, GA 30904.
The family will receive friends Sunday, June 11, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.
PAID OBITUARY

Dr. John Marion Moore

MANNING — Dr. John Marion Moore, 60, died Thursday, June 8, 2006 at his home in Manning. Born in Charlotte, N.C., he was a son of the late Marion “Manny” and Louise Renfro Nichols Moore. He was a graduate of Wofford College and the Medical University of South Carolina and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Presbyterian Church at Manning.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Chris (Sudie Moore) Clem of Greenwood; two sons, John Marion Moore Jr. of Sumter and Thomas Renfro Moore of Greenwood; a sister, Verna M. Pinnix of Ramseur, N.C.; a brother, Joey Moore of Manning; two granddaughters.
Services are 2 p.m. Sunday at Presbyterian Church at Manning, officiated by the Rev. Dr. William J. Holmes. Burial is in Manning Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Marion “Brother” Eadon Jr., Wayne Utley, Bob Tucker, Glenn Pilcher, Heyward Moore and Marion Pilcher.
Visitation is 3-6 p.m. today at 123 Sunset Drive.
Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Church at Manning, PO Box 207, Manning, SC 29102.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.

David Allen (Dave) Perry

CLINTON, SC — David Allen (Dave) Perry, age 64 of 511 Musgrove St., died Wednesday, June 7th in the Laurens County Hospital.
He was born in Abbeville and was the son of Dora Wells Perry of Anderson and the late Claude Perry.
Mr. Perry was retired as Director of the Laurens County School Bus Maintenance; member of Ducks Unlimited and National Wild Turkey Federation, was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and a graduate of Abbeville High School and Erskine College. Mr. Perry was an avid lover of wildlife, fishing and the outdoors.
Surviving are three sons, Edward Perry from his first marriage; John David Perry, Philip Andrew Perry and their mother, Pat Perry all of Clinton; two brothers, William Perry and Steven Perry both of Belton; one sister, Claudette Duffy of Pendleton.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday June 10th at 2:00 p.m. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church with burial in Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends, Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Gray Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Shelby Deitz, P.O. Box 481, Clinton, SC 29325.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is serving the family.
PAID OBITUARY

Joe Willis Jr.

McCORMICK — Joe Willis Jr., 58, of 937 Highway 378 E., husband of Elizabeth “Lib” Lawton Willis, died Friday, June 9, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of Austin and Rosa Lee Floyd Willis. He was a farmer and livestock dealer for more than 30 years, a lifelong resident of McCormick and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife; his parents of Ninety Six; three daughters, Andi W. Neal, Hope W. Bridges and Jennifer Willis, all of McCormick; two brothers, Jimmy Willis of McCormick and Donnie Adams of Hobs Sound, Fla.; five sisters, Lou Jennings of McCormick, Audrey Edwards of Saluda, Rosalyn McKinney of Ninety Six, Shirley Bowick and Hettie Ramsey, both of Plum Branch; three grandchildren.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday at Bethany Church Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Lloyd Prince.
Pallbearers are Larry Davis, Ira Jones, Glenn Wright, Randy Young, JR. Gable, Wesley Quarles, Bobby Boddie and Bo Willis.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Strom Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.