WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsThunderbird murder suspects plead 'not guilty'

Thunderbird murder suspects plead 'not guilty'

FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) - A man and teenager charged in the murder of an 83-year-old WWII veteran outside a Florence motel pleaded not guilty Friday morning.

Sylvester Davis Jr., 25, and Dondre Michael Scott, 17, both of Darlington, pleaded not guilty to mudering Clair Chaffin, of Archer, FL. Chaffin was shot and killed outside the Thunderbird Inn, 2004 W. Lucas St., in June while he was packing his car.

Both suspects remain in jail at this time. Jack Lawson, who was representing Scott, withdrew a motion for bond Friday morning. Robert E. Lee, new counsel for Davis, could make a motion for his bond at a later time.

Florence County Sheriff's Capt. Brett Camp says investigators think Chaffin was shot after being confronted by Davis and Scott during an attempted armed robbery.

Chaffin's grandson, Robert Dowe, said his grandfather was on his way to pick up a friend for a trip to the Canadian Rockies for vacation. Chaffin was driving up from Florida alone and had stopped at the Florence motel alone. Dowe says his grandfather, who was nicknamed "Doc," was awarded in the 4th Marine Division in World War II, and was awarded a Silver Star.

Richland County investigators say the two may have been involved in a robbery at the Motel 6, located at 7541 Nates Rd., where an off-duty probation agent was robbed at gunpoint of her credentials and state issued .40 caliber handgun.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said the probation agent was working a security detail at the motel around 3 a.m. on Sunday when two unknown men approached her while she was sitting in her car. The victim witnessed the suspects flee in a burgundy Nissan bearing South Carolina tag DDE-725.

Lott said the vehicle has been identified as being involved in the murder. Investigators are working to determine if the weapon used in the Florence homicide is the same as the weapon stolen from the Richland County robbery.

It was also added by investigators that the two were also involved in a separate armed robbery and assault on June 2 on River Drive at Savannah's Club.  Officials say two male victims were robbed and assaulted in the parking lot of the business.

Scott and Davis fled the scene with one of the victim's car and money.

The two have also been charged with four counts of robbery.

Florence County Solicitor Ed Clements says Chaffin's story has touched the entire community.

"It has had a tremendous impact on everyone and it's had a tremendous impact on me," said Clements.  "This man was a real american hero and anytime a family loses life like that it's just horrendous."

Both Davis and Scott remain in jail.

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