Two shootings, four dead

2 murder-suicides suspected

October 4, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

A Greenwood County woman was killed Tuesday in her home by her estranged husband in what authorities are describing as an apparent domestic murder-suicide.
Also Tuesday night, local authorities responded to a second apparent murder-suicide, this one in the Hyde Park section of Greenwood County. Officials were witholding the address and names Tuesday night as the coroner attempted to contact the families.
According to Chief Deputy Mike Frederick, of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department: Deputies went to the residence about 10:45 p.m. for a welfare check, in response to neighbors’ concerns that the residents hadn’t been seen in some time. The victims — a married couple — were found shot to death. There were no other victims, and no third party is suspected.
Earlier Tuesday, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded just after 10 a.m. to a mobile home at 3431 Callison Highway, after a relative of Peggy A. Lail, 45, phoned police to voice concern for the woman.
After they were unable to get a response from inside the home, deputies forced their way into the house, where they found Timothy P. Lail, 48, Peggy Lail’s estranged husband, dead at the scene. Peggy Lail was transported to Self Regional but died shortly after.
Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey said both Lails had gunshot wounds to the head.
After processing the crime scene and interviewing people who knew the Lails, investigators were able to determine that Timothy Lail, a resident of Hollow Rock, Tenn., apparently purchased a firearm out of state and drove from Tennessee to Greenwood on Tuesday morning, arriving at the Callison-area residence just before 10 a.m.
He then shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself.
Relatives told investigators that Timothy Lail had become upset when his estranged wife began a relationship with another man. That man was not at the residence at the time of the shooting and investigators do not think the man is a suspect.
Neither Lail has a history of calls for service or reports of violence with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office.
A full investigation could take a week or more to complete, but Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman said the incident was “another unfortunate example of domestic violence-related murder in South Carolina.”
“We’re blessed with a very low crime rate here in Greenwood County, but violence in the home is a very real social problem everywhere in the country,” Wideman said in a Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office press release. “It’s tragic, and it touches us all in some way.”

THE MURDER-SUICIDES COME just three days after the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and on the same day of a domestic violence awareness candlelight vigil at the Greenwood County Courthouse.
Alice Hodges, executive director of MEG’s House, an emergency shelter serving women and children in Greenwood, McCormick and Edgefield counties, said she was “shocked” to learn of the incident, adding that it was a tragic way to begin a month dedicated to bringing an end to domestic violence.
Hodges said the incident raised her concerns for women who have left an abusive relationship and have tried to find safety in a friend or family member’s home. In an earlier story for The Index-Journal, Hodges and other domestic violence experts said statistics show a woman is more likely to be killed by an abusive partner when she tries to leave — or is in the process of leaving — the relationship.
Events such as the murder-suicide on Tuesday, Hodges said, highlight the importance of victims contacting domestic violence shelters or other official sources for help when they flee a violent situation. Shelters, she added, can give victims physical, financial and emotional support through counseling, temporary housing and legal assistance, and emergency shelters use a variety of security measures in order to keep residents and staff members safe.
“I believe women are safer in shelters,” Hodges said, adding that safety “is something we focus on on a day-to-day basis.”
“If we could just get the message out that, even if you choose to live with someone (such as a friend or family member), we would like for you to make contact with us,” Hodges added, in order to have access to the resources available at emergency shelters.
Domestic violence claimed the lives of 36 women statewide in 2003, according to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and the crime is the leading cause of injuries to women aged 15-44, even more common than traffic accidents, muggings and cancer combined. Nationwide, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the U.S. each day.
The Associated Press reported that South Carolina ranks sixth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by male intimate partners, and within the past month there have been a number of domestic violence-related homicides in the state.
Last week, a North Charleston man, Michael Simmons, 41, was charged with five counts of murder in the killing of his wife, Detra Rainey Simmons, 39, and her four children in a mobile home in that city, the AP reported.
About a week earlier, Fairfield County officers found 53-year-old Louise Martin at her neighbor’s house, shot several times. Before she lost consciousness, she told a neighbor that her husband, 63-year-old Robert Martin, had shot her, according to AP. Officers found Robert Martin next door, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
But the violence isn’t limited to other towns in this state, and this year alone there have been four domestic-violence related fatalities in Greenwood County.
In March, 34-year-old McQuonia Lawton was killed when her estranged husband, James, drove his vehicle through Lawton’s Raintree Apartments residence before chasing the mother of two through the neighborhood and eventually shooting her a total of 11 times. James, 30, fled the scene in another vehicle, driving to his Georgetown Apartments residence in Greenwood, where he shot himself in the head.
And in March 2005, Augstine Omogun, 41, shot and killed his wife, 41-year-old Denise, in the couple’s Avondale home before traveling to Uptown Greenwood where he reportedly shot another man and then turned the gun on himself.
Hodges said abusers who murder their partners often take their own lives afterward.
“(The abuser) knows he’s lost complete control,” she said. “He takes her out and then he’ll take himself out.”
Attorney General Henry McMaster has called domestic violence the state’s No. 1 crime problem because of its impact on children, the AP reported.
“There are women alive today who will not be alive this time next year because of the scourge of domestic violence,” McMaster was quoted as saying in a recent Associated Press story.

Patricia Cantrell

NINETY SIX — Patricia Leann Simpson Cantrell, 28, resident of 202 Butler Circle, died September 30, 2006 at her home.
Born in Charleston, she was daughter of Sandy Conyers Simpson Fojtik and the late Wendell Patrick Simpson. She attended Grace Community Church in Greenwood.
Surviving in addition to her mother of Seattle, WA are a son, Justin Darrin Robinson and a daughter, Kristin Nicole Robinson, both of Greenwood; a brother, David Sweatt and a sister, Melissa Clements, both of Ninety Six; a maternal grandfather, Claude Conyers of Greenwood.B Graveside services will be conducted at 1:30 Thursday at Oakbrook Memorial Park with Dr. Rodney B. Shultz officiating. The family is at the home of David Sweatt, 3303 Ninety Six Hwy. and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.

Jack Farmer

ABBEVILLE — Jack Doyle Farmer, 87, resident of 110 Calhoun St. husband of Mary Carolyn Bray Farmer died Tuesday Oct. 3, 2006 at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Born in Elberton, GA he was a son of the late James Roland and Arlie Elizabeth Ray Farmer.
He was owner & operator of Farmer’s Cleaners for 53 years. He was a World War II Army Air Force veteran. He served on the Abbeville City Council for 32 years.
He was a mason and a member of the Clinton Lodge # 3 AFM. He was also a long time member of the Abbeville Lions Club. He was a member of the Abbeville First Baptist Church and a member of the Baraca Sunday School Class.
Survivors are: His beloved wife of 66 years Mary Carolyn Bray Farmer of the home; 2 sons Travis Lee Farmer and his wife Patsy Ann Addis Farmer of Seneca, SC and Leonard Ray Farmer of Augusta, GA; 1 brother Robert Farmer of Elberton, GA; 2 grandchildren Sean Farmer and Leslie Farmer.
He was preceded in death by a son Jack Doyle Farmer, Jr. and a brother James Farmer.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday Oct. 5, 2006 at 3:00 PM at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Reiny Koschel officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 PM Thursday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home 110 Calhoun St. Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 521 N. McDuffie St. Anderson, SC 29621 or to The Abbeville First Baptist Church 111 Ellis Ave. Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be made to the Farmer family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

Sarah N. Harrison

BRADLEY — Memorial graveside services for Sarah Nicholson Harrison, 91, of Bradley, SC will be held Saturday, Oct. 7th at 2 pm at Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery in Bradley. A reception will follow at Millway. Mrs. Harrison died in Columbia on Sept. 18, 2006.
Mrs. Harrison, widow of Wade C. Harrison, Jr., was born in Edgefield, SC to the late John Hughes and Ora Rives Nicholson. She was a lifetime summer resident of Cedar Mountain, NC. She is survived by daughters, Lucia H. Jaycocks and her husband, Edgar S. Jaycocks; and Ann H. Anderson and her husband, Thomas P. Anderson; a son, John N. Harrison and wife, Patricia L. Harrison; five grandchildren, Sarah Jaycocks Boblit, Lucia Linwood Jaycocks, Wade Nicholson Harrison, Thomas H. Anderson and Elizabeth T. Anderson.
Memorials may be made to Elizabeth Tarrant Anderson Endowment for Children, c/o Coastal Community Foundation, 90 Mary Street, Charleston, SC 29403.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.

William H. Smith

William Hayden Smith, 75, of 142 Young Street, died Monday, October 2, 2006 at Hospice House.
Born in Hephzibah, GA, he was a son of the late William and Florence Hipp Smith. He was a driver with Yellow Cab, had served in the U.S. Army and attended Restoration Ministries.
Surviving is a sister, Mozelle Fuller of Greenwood and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Jason Garner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.
The family is at the home of his niece, Sara Garland, 702 Sherard Road, Ninety Six.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Margarita Buan Vasquez

Manila, Philippines — Margarita Buan Vesquez, 84, of Manila, Philippines died on October 2, at Mendoza Hospital in Manila, Philippines. She is survived by her daughters, Del, Fe, Lady Lina, Nellie, Shirley, Joy and Mila Olsen of Greenwood; sons Cleno, Junior, Edison and Roy; granddaughters Christine Pierce, Crystal Pierce and great-granddaughter TaylorAnn and son-in-law David Olsen of Greenwood.
The family and body are at the home in Manila, Philippines.

Saluda’s Deloach says OK to USC

October 4, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

SALUDA — Basketball fans around the Lakelands area will soon have an extra reason to keep up with the University of South Carolina basketball squad.
The reason: A Lakelands area prep hoops star has committed to play for the Gamecocks.
Trevor Deloach, a standout shooting guard/small forward at Saluda High School, has agreed to suit up for coach Dave Odom’s team, beginning in the 2007-2008 season. Deloach officially committed last Thursday after lengthy courtship from schools around the nation.
“It came down to Penn State and South Carolina,” Deloach said. “In the end, it was South Carolina all the way.”
The 6-foot-4 Deloach averaged 23.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for Saluda last season. He was named All-Region III-AA and was The Index-Journal Lakelands Player of the Year. He has started for Saluda since his freshman year.
However, it was his performance in an AAU tournament this summer that caught South Carolina’s eye.
“I played in the state qualifier in Columbia this summer,” Deloach said. “I scored 53 points in the championship game.
After that, (South Carolina’s coaching staff) started coming to my practices.”
Deloach said one of the biggest factors in choosing USC was the close proximity to home. He said it was important for his mother and sister to be able to come see him play.
Deloach also expressed his desire to play in the SEC.
“The SEC is one of the premier conferences in the country,” said Deloach, who scored more than 40 points in a game at AAAA Greenwood last season. “It means a lot to me to be able to play at the highest level in college, and to play for coach Odom.”
Deloach said he understands expectations will be high for an increased level of success at Carolina.
“I’m thinking about the NCAA tournament,” Deloach said. “South Carolina has been fortunate enough to win the NIT the last two years, and that’s great. But the NCAAs are what you play for. I want to do whatever I can to help us get there.”
Deloach will be part of a solid set of sharp shooters that will begin playing for USC in 2007-08.
Devan Downey and Zam “Buck” Frederick have transferred into South Carolina from Cincinnati and Georgia Tech, respectively. They will have to sit out this coming season, per NCAA rules, making their first season with the Gamecocks Deloach’s freshman year.
“We’re trying to make a name for ourselves,” Deloach said. “I’m looking forward to playing with Devan and Zam.”
Once at USC, Deloach will major in a subject that likely drew his attention as he added up his statistics over the last several years: accounting.
Deloach, who can officially sign with South Carolina Nov. 7, said it was important to him to get his decision out of the way so he could concentrate on the Tigers upcoming basketball season, as well as the rest of this football season. Deloach is a wide receiver and safety on Saluda’s gridiron squad.

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

Somebody’s going to pay no matter what’s changed

October 4, 2006

Taxpayers in South Carolina will soon be faced with changes in how they pay taxes and what kind of taxes they will pay.
Already the sale tax on groceries has dropped from 5 cents on the dollar to 3 cents. That is just the first of several changes state lawmakers made in a larger tax package.
No one should get comfortable, though. Other tax changes are on the way. Come June 1 next year the sales tax will increase to 6 cents on the dollar for everything other than groceries.
It’s all part of the so-called property tax reform package that is now part of the system. How that will balance out with the sales tax changes is yet to be seen, although lawmakers say it will be fair and address a property tax problem that South Carolinians have complained about for years.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE PLACES where local sales taxes add to the bottom line. In fact, if voters approve in the November election, an extra cent will be added to the sales tax in Greenwood County to pay for a new library and federally mandated improvements to the dam at Lake Greenwood. That means on June 1 the sales tax on everything but groceries will be 7 cents on the dollar until the library and dam are paid off. Still, that should be approved, otherwise the money would have to be raised some other way. Property taxes, perhaps?
Then, of course, there are accommodations taxes and extra taxes on meals in restaurants in communities around the state, including Greenwood. That, too, must be factored into the totals involving the property tax “reform” now in the works.

IT PROBABLY WILL CREATE confusion for a while, until the whole thing settles in. Taxpayers and tax collectors are likely to share some frustration in the process.
They say that nothing is certain but death and taxes. Does anyone really need any more evidence to prove that? One thing is definitely true, however. Nothing comes without a price tag, no matter how many changes are made.
Everything done in the public’s name (services) costs, and those costs have to be covered by some kind of tax. When all is said and done, then, what lies ahead, despite all the posturing, will, no doubt, amount to a tax swap and not really a reform ..... no matter what anyone calls it.