FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) A man accused of murdering an
elderly woman during a burglary and armed robbery back in August of 2008 has
been found guilty by a jury Friday afternoon.
Solicitor Ed Clements told WMBF News Friday that David
Gerrard Johnson was found guilty on all count by a jury around 3 p.m. in the murder
of then 69-year-old Willie Mae Hayes in late August 2008. Johnson was charged
with murder, burglary in the first degree, armed robbery, conspiracy and
possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Hayes was reported missing by her family after they discovered
the back door to her home wide open. Her body was later located in a ditch in
Florence County wrapped in a bedspread from her home.
Clements said Johnson was sentenced to life in prison for
the murder charge and life in prison for the burglary charge. They sentences will
run consecutively and he is not eligible for parole.
Johnson was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for the
armed robbery charge, five years for the conspiracy charge and five years for
the possession of a weapon charge.
Two additional co-defendants, Rashawn Bailey and Anthony
Wilson, are also charged with murder, burglary, armed robbery, conspiracy and
possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Another defendant, Gregory Montgomery, is charged with
burglary in the first degree.
Clements said he expects their cases to be handled
individually.
Copyright 2012 WMBF
News. All rights reserved.
David Gerrard Johnson (Source: Florence PD)
Willie Mae Hayes (Source: Florence PD)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WMBF, a Raycom Media Station.
