3 men on trial for killing in LincolnvilleBy Schuyler Kropf (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Three men went on trial Monday in the slaying of an aspiring music entrepreneur from Lincolnville who was gunned down outside the scene of a home invasion. Sterling "Sterlo" Spann, 19, was known for performing, writing and producing rap music from a makeshift studio in his house. He was killed Aug. 31, 2006, outside the home of Lincolnville resident Patricia Ann Green after he and a friend came upon a home-invasion robbery in progress. 
Mic Smith From left, Keive Malik Smith, Anthony Dominique Wilder and Leo C. Gadsden. During the trial's opening day, Green took the witness stand in the Charleston County Judicial Center and said she was napping in her home on West Stall Street when her seven pit bulls began barking. She realized someone was outside and saw a male figure out front. Moments later, he came crashing through the door and began to beat her about the head with a handgun, she said. On trial are Leo C. Gadsden, 21, of Ferrera Drive in North Charleston; Anthony Dominique Wilder, 23, of Realm Street in Charleston; and Keive Milik Smith, 22, of Rose Lane in Charleston. All three were apprehended about 20 minutes after the attack when the Jeep they were in crashed on Interstate 26 as they were chased by a Charleston County deputy. The men are charged with murder, burglary, two counts of kidnapping, and assault and battery with intent to kill. Each could receive life in prison if convicted. During her testimony, Green said her assailants made demands, ransacked the home, duct-taped her body and beat her severely. Though her attackers were masked, she was able to identify two of them, pointing to Wilder and Gadsden in court Monday. Spann was killed, authorities said, when he and friend Jamie Williams drove up to the home and were confronted. Williams was shot four times and stumbled to the nearby Lincolnville fire station, where he collapsed. Spann also was shot several times but did not survive. In his opening statement, Assistant Solicitor Nathan Williams said Spann and the other victims were confronted by "violence that had no boundary" at the hands of the men. Defense attorneys asked the jury to keep an open mind. During cross-examination, defense lawyers also pointed to Green's initial statements that four or more people were involved in the attack. Green responded that her mind and vision were clouded by the blood and also the fear of having a handgun shoved down her mouth. "I mean, I just got beaten," she said. The trial is expected to last several days, possibly into next week. Reach Schuyler Kropf at skropf @postandcourier.com or 937-5551. |
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Comments
This article has 18 comment(s)
Posted by iculukin on May 6, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To bad the pit bulls couldn't get out, then we wouldn't be wasting our money on a trial.
Posted by ln1959 on May 6, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These three punks need to be put in front of a firing squad. Let the family members of these two young men that they just shoot in cold blood pull the trigger on them Na, thats to easy. Put them in the chair, cause they show do not deserve to be back out among good people.
Posted by Early on May 6, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really think that violet offenders should be put on the very front lines of any war, given a slingshot and forced at gunpoint to march forward!
Posted by eyfigueroa on May 6, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sigh.
it is times like these, criminals like these bozos that make rethink our legal system. (notice I didin't say justice system)
If there is a bright spot in all of this that 2 of the victims survived and hopefully the jury will render a most deserving verdict.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 6, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Each could receive life in prison"
There in lies the problem. It should read:
"If convicted, each will be put to death"
Posted by summerville_guy on May 6, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Look at that picture of them. The guy on the right definitely looks like a model citizen, doesn't he? Maybe it is just me, but if I was on trial for murder, I would do my best not to look like a crack head.
Posted by mac0cm4 on May 6, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Note to self: avoid Lincolnville.
Seems like a lot of bad things come out of that very tiny town of Lincolnville - killing of the Constable, these three fine losers, etc.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 6, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, I think, based on the demographics, that Licolnville does pretty good in the area of crime. It's mainly very low income (white and black) and I would expect, driving through the area, that the crime rate would be much higher than it is. I asked about this once before and someone pointed out that the majority of people living in Lincolnville are home owners, not renters, so they had a bit more civic pride andthat led to lower crime. Yes, they've had two high profile crimes, but you don't hear about Lincolnville in the news too often. Maybe it's a downward trend though, I don't know.
Posted by LadyTarHeel on May 6, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
summerville_guy: I must agree with you. I don't think they were going for the crack head look though, it's probably more, "I act hard, so I have to look hard" mentality. I don't get why looking hard means you have to look dirty, but I guess it's not for me to understand.
I hope these three scums of the earth rot in jail. I don't get what is going on with our young black men these days. No wonder young black women are the most likely not to be married. Where is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need em?
Posted by Girleygirl on May 6, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Summerville_guy- Thats what crack do to ya!! It also ages you, look at them! They are suppose to be in their young 20's and they all look like they are 40 years old! My goodness they look rough! Coldbeer- I do agree with you...death penalty should have been the case!
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on May 6, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with CB. It's time to "put out their fires" and do it quickly, cheaply and efficiently.
Posted by LadyTarHeel on May 6, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman: LMFAO!!!!
Posted by TonyaC on May 6, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
19... WOW! My prayers go out to the family of that young man! Thank God the other guy was able to reach help. Here's my two cents for what ever it's worth...
From a single mother (due to this war!)... CLEAR OUT THE JAILS, SEND THESE CRIMINALS OVER THERE (SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE A KNACK FOR SHOOTING), AND BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!!!
If the powers that be will come together and declare that if you're convicted of a violent crime, your first five years will be spent at war, then we will see a major break in crime! Then, if they survive, bring back the chain gangs and feed them bread and water. Then, they'll see what being a 'tough guy' is all about.
Posted by proudmomma on May 6, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TonyaC- I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 6, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TonyaC, I am sorry for your loss. I hope you are proud that your son (assumption) died protecting our freedoms, liberties... our very way of life. As a retired military man, I feel confident in saying that he was probably proud to be serving in such an honorable way.
I would not want to live my life knowing that criminals were the ones we sent to do such an honorable and important job. It takes dedicated, highly trained, highly motivated people to serve in today's military. Criminals such as the ones in this article do not possess those qualities.
Posted by TonyaC on May 6, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
proudmomma and coldbeer, thanks so much. It was my husband. And coldbeer, you're absolutely correct. I actually thought about what my husband would think of my post (or my children for that matter), and regret'd it shortly there after!
We should not have to live in fear of these criminals. It just gets me very upset to know that our brave men and women are fighting for our safety while inocent people are being slain by these idiots! I don't have the answer, but something (different) has to be done. The fear of the punishment has to over-ride the fear of the action!! And, I'm sorry, but free college free food free training free beds IS NOTHING TO FEAR TO THESE CRIMINALS! On top of that, WE'RE PAYING FOR ALL OF IT!!
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on May 6, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't understand why this is not a death penalty case. Those are three nasty looking individuals, and I'd be glad to put the needles in the arms of those three...I hope the state reconsiders the sentencing.
Posted by portcitygirl on May 7, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all I am from Lincolnville. I'd lived there for nearly 19 years, I still have family residing there, and I visit the area at least three times out of the year. I've lived in many towns across this country and by far I feel safer in Lincolnville than any other. I would like to say that those who believe Lincolnville is a crime infected town think again. Lincolnville, is a wonderful community and it's residents have an abundant amount of civic pride. There are citizens in that town who believe in showing its good. Lincolnville has produced educators, doctors, and engineers to name a few occupations. Those who commit crimes in the town isn't the citizens themselves, they are committed by individuals from other parts of the Lowcountry. Or, by those individuals who have very little ties to the town (ie, no family roots), but are renting properties. These individuals help bring in the majority drugs and such. No don't get me wrong, Lincolnville isn't Mayberry perfect. We have our occassional thugs, but they haven't killed anyone. (And I can't think of any town in this country that is totally 100% crime free.) I knew Sterling Spann. I had the opportunity of watching him grow up....the last time I saw the young man was at his High School graduation (June 2006). And my last memory of him was watching him joke across the stage to get his diploma. You could tell he was a popular young man because nearly every student was cheering for him. When I'd learned that he was shot and killed, I cried. I cried like he was my brother, or cousin. Because growing up in a small town like that, you think of everyone as family. My heart still goes out to his family. I hope justice is served during this trial. Although taking the life of the three men on trial will not bring back Mr. Spann...allowing them to rot in prison for life will do nothing but waste my tax dollars...and with the price of gas these days, I would prefer spending my tax dollars on finding solutions to lower the cost instead of providing three meals, living quarters, and health care to those men. It sickens me to see the photos of the suspects...three good for nothing men who have nothing better to do with their lives. I am tired of our youth looking for a quick dollar. A lot of our young men don't want to work anymore. They have no sense of what a full honest day of work is. I'm a divorced mother, and the rate of the demise of the black men in this country, I may be that way for a while. I've spent the last eleven years in the military and as much as I love to put on my uniform and know I am defending the best country in the World, it sometimes bothers me to know that people like this are also benefiting from not only my sweat, but the sweat from all of my brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces. To the Spann and Williams families my prayers are with your during this trial...RIP Sterling!!!!