34 Year Sentence
Man Convicted of County Murder
Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison
Aaron Sincere Hood, age 20, was convicted last week Thursday, September 14, 2023, by a Saluda County jury for the Murder of Xavier Cancer, age 29.
Chief Administrative Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV, presided over the trial and sentenced Hood to thirty-four (34) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for the murder. Hood will not be eligible for parole and will serve this sentence day-for-day.
Hood was also convicted of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature for assaulting a second individual and received a concurrent twenty (20) year sentence.
Senior Assistant Solicitor Robby McNair, Assistant Solicitor Doug Fender, and Senior Assistant Solicitor Sutania A. Fuller handled the prosecution of this case. The investigation was conducted by the Saluda County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Town of Saluda Police Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
On March 16, 2021, Hood shot and killed Xavier Cancer on Keisha Avenue in the town of Saluda following a verbal altercation. On the day of the shooting, Hood and the surviving victim went back and forth on social media regarding inappropriate messages Hood had sent. Eventually, Hood sent a message saying he was in the area. The surviving victim responded that he would fight it out, but he was not going to if guns were involved. A short time later Hood showed up at the surviving victim’s house. While outside, Hood presented his gun and threatened to shoot the surviving victim and his friends. Xavier happened to arrive right after this happened to hang out and Hood turned his attention to Xavier. Ultimately, Xavier agreed to fight as long as guns were not involved. Witness testimony revealed that Hood handed his gun off to his codefendant prior to the start of the fight as they walked down the road to fight.
During the trial, testimony revealed that approximately ten seconds into the physical fight, Hood asked his codefendant for the gun. The testimony at trial was that the surviving victim then tried to stop the codefendant from handing off the gun. Ultimately, Hood ended up with the gun and shot Xavier. Hood then pistol whipped the surviving victim over the head before running off.
The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Xavier testified during the trial that the gunshot wound to the chest was consistent with the gun being greater than three feet away from Xavier and the shot came across his chest from the left ultimately traveling at a downward angle. When asked if the gunshot was consistent with Xavier turning away and crouching down to avoid the gunshot, the forensic pathologist confirmed that the bullet path she was able to identify was consistent with that happening.
Following the shooting, the testimony revealed that Hood and his codefendant took off running through the woods. Hood threw a jacket he was wearing in the woods and it was later recovered by law enforcement. The jacket was sent to SLED Forensic Services Laboratory for DNA analysis and DNA attributed with both Hood and Xavier were located on the jacket.
Law enforcement was able to apprehend Hood in a vehicle heading toward Newberry County approximately fifteen minutes after the shooting because a concerned citizen spotted Hood running from the woods and jumping in the vehicle at the Country Peddler. Hood’s clothing was collected for gunshot residue analysis and his hands were tested as well. SLED Forensic Services Lab trace evidence department was able to locate gunshot residue on an item of clothing belonging to Hood and on Hood’s hands.
During the sentencing, Xavier’s parents addressed the Court sharing their sadness over the loss of their son in this senseless killing. Xavier’s mother shared with the Court that Xavier’s young son, her grandson, had recently played in a football game and scored multiple touchdowns. Despite the victory, he cried at the field after the game as he mourned the loss of his father.
Hood was transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections this morning to begin serving his prison sentence.
Thirty-Two Sentenced In
General Sessions Court
Thirty-two defendants were sentenced during the recent terms of Saluda County General Sessions Court.
The major case was the jury trial of Aaron Sincere Hood, who was found guilty of murder. (See above story)
Sentenced on guilty pleas were the following:
AnTwuan Jerelle Brown, resisting arrest, time served. Kevon Dre’Sean Etheredge, drugs, MDP, controlled substance, fives years, suspended to three years probation.
Kelly A. Matthews, unlawful; use of a telephone, time served. David Antonio Graham, possession of other controlled substances, time served.
Christopher Dale Vaughn, simple possession of marijuana, time served. Larry D’Torius Stroman, failure to stop fora blue light, two years or $500.
Hector Amilcar Gomez Perez, possession of meth, time served. Elias Rodriguez Solis, assault and battery third degree, time served.
Joseio Ramirez Lemos, failure to stop for a blue light, time served. Christopher Lavar Causey, possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Paul Joseph Koon, hit and run, time served. Alicia Cleree Negron, possession of meth, time served.
Jonathan Lopez, failure to stop for a blue light, 515 days time served. Rodney Paul Smokes, possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Wayne Anthony Amerson, assault & battery 2nd degree, three years, suspended to one year probation. Kinyada Victoria Williams, possession of other controlled substance, 6 months and $500, suspended to time served and $100.
Dalton Oneal Barrett, possession of other controlled substance, time served. Trevor Alexander Fuller, possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Wardrick D. Herlie Herrin, assault & battery 2nd degree, two years, suspended to one year probation. Kellie Nicole Bedenbaugh, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, five years, suspended to three years probation, 330 days time served.
Jataviuos Tibias Abney, unlawful carrying of a pistol, one years, suspended to 12 months probation. Timothy Bryan Jackson, possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Shaylan Torraine Andrews, failure to comply with lawful direction, time served. Victoria Susan Zachary, possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base 1st offense, three years, suspended to 30 months probation.
Justin Tyler Quarles, hit & run, duties of drive involved accidently, property damage, 90 days. Michelle Ann Lewis, habitual traffic offender, DUS, three years, suspended to 18 months probation.
John Wesley Clark, possession of other controlled substance, time served. Jesse C. Williams, reckless driving, time served.
Demontrell Ja’Tez Atyson Wigfall, assault & battery 3rd degree, time served. Daywon Akeen Gary, common law robbery, strong armed robbery, five years.
Tommy Cary Adams II, breach of trust, more than $2000, less than $10,000, five years, suspended to three years probation. Eric Markrecus Smith, forgery, time served.
Second Groundbreaking
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING OF CAREER & TECHNOLOGY WING
GROUNDBREAKING - Taking part in the first of many ceremonial groundbreakings Wed., Sept. 13, were, L to R, Supt. Dr. Harvey Livingston, State Sen. Billy Garrett, Board Chairman Dr. Kathy Coleman, Board member Jeffrey Jordan, Educational Complex Principal Robert Etheredge, Board members Sharon Holloway, CeCe Sawyer, Christy Nichols, Dr. Arlene Puryear, James Holloway. (Standard-Sentinel photos)
Second Groundbreaking Held
Saluda County School District held its second groundbreaking for building projects at Saluda Middle and High Schools on Wed., Sept. 13.
A Career and Technology wing will be built on the site.
District Superintendent Dr. Harvey Livingston gave the opening remarks.
Rev. Trey Shealy delivered the invocation. The SHS JROTC presented the colors and Saluda Middle School sixth graders Lain Bartley and Deyna Perez-Juarez led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Principal Robert Etheredge welcomed those in attendance.
SHS Student Body President Chardarius Abney told of the advantages of the new building. Abney currently takes welding, but he has to drive to Batesburg-Leesville High School to take the course. Welding will be offered at SHS when the wing is completed.
Board Chairman Dr. Kathy Coleman said she and several other board members were serving when the Educational Complex opening in 2001. Twenty-two years later the complex has run out of classrooms. The new wing will solve that problem.
She thanked all the citizens who voted in the referendum for the new facilities, and the general assembly for recognizing the building needs of rural school districts.
She also singled out Saluda native and former State Supt. of Education Molly Spearman for all she has done to assist the District.
Dr. Coleman said the “One Saluda” mission is to provide the best education possible for the students.
After Dr. Coleman’s message, several ceremonial ground breakings were held.
Council Approves Tax Millage
At a regular and called meeting, Saluda County Council approved the tax millage for the County and Saluda School District One last week.
The fiscal year dates were wrong on the agenda for the regular meeting on Sept. 11, so the item was carried over to a called meeting on Sept. 13.
The county millage is as follows: operating - 147.3, economic development -3.0, law enforcement/Detention Center - 12, Piedmont Tech - 3.5, public building maintenance 3.0, fire board - 4.0. This is a 12..6 millage increase over last year.
The school millage is as follows: operating - 166.9, bonds - 34.6. This is a 12 mill increase in operating, and a 1.1 mill increase in bonds over last year.
In a public presentation, Lofton Johnson Jr. asked council to change the building ordinance to allow temporary camper set-ups for property owners to use while their homes are being built or repaired.
Second reading was given to an ordinance amending the Capital Project Sales Tax Act ordinance of 2018. The amendment will continue the collecting of the sales tax until the cost of the new detention center is reached. Since 2018, $4,917,000 has been collected to go toward the new jail.
The ordinance description reads: “an ordinance amending Saluda County Ordinance no. 06-18 entitled “an ordinance to levy and impose a one percent sales and use tax, subject to a referendum in Saluda County pursuant to the Capital Project Sales Tax Act, South Carolina code annotated section 4-10-300, et seq.; to define the specific purposes and designate the projects for which the proceeds of the tax may be used; to provide the maximum time for the imposition and collection of the tax and the maximum amount of net proceeds to be raised by the tax; to provide for a county-wide referendum and to prescribe the contents of the ballot question in the referendum; to provide conditions precedent to the imposition of the tax and conditions or restrictions on the use of the tax revenue; to establish the priority in which the net proceeds of the tax are to be expended for the purposes and projects stated; to provide for the conduct of the referendum by the Saluda County Board of Voter Registration and elections; to provide for the payment of the tax; to provide for the issuance of bonds, in one or more series, tax-exempt or taxable, in an amount not to exceed the aggregate of $9,400,000; authorizing the county administrator to prescribe the form and details of the bonds; providing for the payment of the bonds and pledge of revenues related to the bonds; providing otherwise for the disposition of the proceeds of the bonds; providing for borrowing in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds; providing for the disposition of property related to the bonds; and other related matters” in order to provide certain details as to the sale of the bonds authorized thereby and other matters related thereto.”
Council approved a request to replace an AC unit at the Courthouse at a cost of $7850. It will be funded from the Building Repair Reserve Account.
Kasey Stoudemayer was appointed to the First Steps Board, and Andrew Wayne Shaw was reappointed to the Building and Mobile Home Appeals Board.
At the called meeting on Sept. 13. Council gave second reading to a an ordinance approving the sale of real property located at the southeast intersection of Hwy. 378 and N. Bouknight Ferry Rd. in Saluda to Project Commerce.
The bid was awarded to Kendrick Construction to build restrooms at Brooks Royston Park. Cost is $66.435.
Chairman Jim Moore said this completes the projects in the Capital Penny Sale Tax Account that were passed in a referendum.
Historical Markers
Historical Markers Unveiled
Historical markers recognizing Rosenwald and Riverside Schools were unveiled Sat., Sept. 2, at the old Riverside School.
The event was sponsored by the Riverside Community Development Corporation (RCDC), who owns the school, and 42 acres behind it.
Apothess Constance E. Long served as the mistress of ceremonies.
William “Billy” Pugh gave opening remarks said the goal of the RCDC is to develop the school property as a community center, including offering afterschool programs, basketball games, and hosting meetings. He said he was a graduate of Riverside High School.
RCDC Chairman James Holloway said the purpose of the event was to remember Rosenwald and Riverside Schools, who provided education to many African American students in Saluda County.
Rosenwald School was built on Carver Street in 1924 with support from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, and the families of the students. It served the African American community until Riverside was built in 1954. Riverside served students from grades one to 12. The last graduating class was 1970. The next year the high school merged with Saluda High School and Riverside became a middle school until 2001, when the new Education Complex on Ivory Key Road was opened.
Holloway said the RCDC was created to purchase Riverside School. Their $31,000 bid for the building and 42 acres was accepted, and the organization borrowed $100,000 to begin renovation. Through community efforts the loan was paid off.
RCDC has helped other communities as they attempted to purchase abandoned black schools.
Before the historical marker was unveiled, Holloway recognized those in attendance who attended Rosenwald and Riverside. Later, Holloway sang the Riverside Alma Mater.
The maker cost $2600 and was made possible by donations from: Henry Bell & Johnnie Mae Glenn, Billy and Minnie Pearl Pugh, James M. and Willie Pearl Holloway, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Herbert, Jimmy L and Mildred Holloway, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rauch, Anthony (Bo) and Carolyn Chapman, Richard Rauch, Freddie George Holloway, Brother Joe and Dorothy Wilson, Smilie Christie, Willie L. Smith, Benjamin F. Minick, Edward and Carrie A. Bates, Joe and Vanessa Ouzts, J.C. “Buddy” Coleman, Warren and Almestine Butler, Rev. Everette and Teresa Hall, Terry McGrath, John-athan Stevens, Harry and Sharon Holloway, Willie and Irene Abney, Warren & Searles Butler, Elnora Culbreath and Sara Richardson.
After the unveiling, Holloway thanked Christian Martinez, Tiffany, Kenzo and Kiyan who installed the monument and cemented the poll; his son Kenyatta and daughter Afrika and her husband who travelled 1600 miles and help set up the tents and chairs, and Billy and grandson Devin Pugh for lawn cutting at the site.
Saluda Mayor Miliken Matthews praised the work of those who made the monument dedication possible. He told those who had any concerns to contact him or Ward 1 Councilman Myranda Butler or Ward 2 Councilman Obie Combs, and they would help in any way possible.
Rev. Vanessa Ouzts closed the program with prayer.
Conservation Farmer of
The Year Recognized
The Saluda Soil and Water Conservation District awarded their Annual 2022 Conservation Farmer of the Year Award to Shealy Farms. During the Annual Awards Banquet, Mr. Dayton O’Dell Shealy was presented with a plaque and sign for his outstanding accomplishments. The Banquet was held on June 12, 2023, at T & S Farm Banquet Hall in Leesville, S.C.
Mr. Shealy works diligently to conserve our natural resources by implementing many conservation practices throughout his farm on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Congratulations to Mr. Dayton O’Dell Shealy of Shealy Farms on your excellent achievements.
Chaplains Recognized for Dedicated
Services at Annual Banquet
The Chaplains for the Saluda Soil and Water Conservation District were recently honored at the Annual Awards Banquet. The Banquet took place at T & S Banquet Hall on Monday, June 12, 2023. During the awards ceremony, they both were presented with plaques of sincere appreciation for their many years of dedicated services.
Pastor Dennis Campbell has selflessly and faithfully committed 24 years attending conferences, board meetings, tours, and distributing educational soil stewardship materials to our youth.
Since his retirement, his son Pastor Burton Campbell has filled his shoes for over the past six years. They both
have been and continue to be a tremendous asset to the district. Their services are greatly appreciated.
SES Groundbreaking
GROUNDBREAKING - The Saluda County Schools Board of Trustees joined Saluda Elementary Principal Sarha Deloach and Supt. Dr. Harvey Livington in the first groundbreaking for the new Saluda Elementary School. Pictured, L to R, are Mrs. Deloach, Board members Jeffery Jordan, Christy Corley, James Holloway, Sharon Holloway, Dr. Arlene Puryear, Livingston, Board members CeCe Yonce and Dr. Kathy Coleman. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
OFFICIALS - Local officials taking part in the groundbreaking were, L to R, County Council Chairman Jim Moore, Sheriff Josh Price, Saluda Mayor Miliken Matthews, Supt. Dr. Harvey Livingston, Sen. Billy Garrett, former State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, School Board Chairman Dr. Kathy Coleman, and Rep. Cal Forrest.. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
First School Groundbreaking Held
The first of three new school construction groundbreakings was held Mon., Aug. 28, at the future site of Saluda Elementary School.
Dr. Harvey Livingston, District Superintendent, gave opening remarks, and the welcome was delivered by Saluda Elementary Principal Sarah Deloach.
A group of elementary students lead in the “Pledge of Allegiance,” followed by the invocation, delivered by the Rev. Chris Bosket.
Officials from M.B. Kahn and SSOE Architects described the facilities plan.
A message from School Board Chairman Dr. Kathy Coleman was followed by multiple groundbreakings, and closing remarks by Dr. Livingston.
Similar ceremonies will be held Sept. 13 at the Educational Complex and Sept. 21 at Hollywood Elementary.
District’s Second Groundbreaking
Saluda County School’s second groundbreaking is Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Saluda Middle and High School. The ceremony will take place on the construction site at 10:00 A.M. For parking please drive behind the high school to the back parking lot. We look forward to seeing the public there.