BENNETTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) A man accused of murdering a Bennettsville woman in 2010 will now spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury reached a guilty verdict in just 30 minutes.
Marlboro County Sheriff's deputies arrested John Lee Hogan Jr., 37, of Bennettsville, after witnesses identified someone matching Hogan's description as the last person seen with Monesha Shante Brown, 29, of Bennettsville. Brown was reported missing on June 16, 2010.
With assistance from the South Caroline Law Enforcement Division, the Bennettsville Police Department and the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office used a composite sketch to identify Hogan.
Two searches of Hogan's car and property, as well as information provided by Hogan, led investigators to a body later identified to be that of Brown just off of Highway 38 south in Marlboro County in a wooded area.
"I was up all times of the night trying to find her," said Monesha's cousin, Tiffany Brown. "Only thing I want to know if why he did it. She didn't bother anybody."
"She was so friendly, she loved to smile, always loved to cook," said Aviana Reid, who lived in the apartment above that of Brown. Friends say the mother of four was kind and polite and loved to make people laugh.
According to the Marlboro County Prosecutor's Office clerk, a jury deliberated for only 30 minutes during Hogan's trial today before finding him guilty Wednesday.
His trial lasted only three days.
Judge Howard King then sentenced Hogan to life in prison, stating the family had to wait six weeks to know if she was alive or dead and the bruality of the murder as his reasons.
Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
John Lee Hogan Jr. (Source: Marlboro County Sheriff's Office)
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