By Betsy Finklea
Craig Alexander Bellmon of Dillon  pled under N.C. v. Alford to the involuntary manslaughter of James Gregory McLellan of Dillon on Tuesday in front of Judge Steven John.

When one pleads under N.C. v. Alford they are telling the court that they may or may not be guilty, but feel that a plea bargain may be in their best interest to accept.
According to Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond, the incident occurred on November 27, 2012 at 320 Beaufort Street, Dillon. The victim came tothe residence, but Bellmon did not want him in the house. McLellan came in the house, but not forcibly, Redmond said. A verbal altercation escalated into a physical altercation. Bellmon picked up a baseball bat and assaulted McLellan about the arms and head which resulted in his death. Redmond said that he had not been involved in this case long, but several issues that came out in a hearing held Monday raised concern with the State resulting in the plea bargain. He said they had to make assessments based on the facts.
Two members of the victim’s family spoke. Eugene McLellan, the victim’s brother, said you can’t place a value on someone’s life. McLellan said he felt that the way that it happened that he meant to do that. McLellan said he felt that it went way further than self defense. He said he thinks that Bellmon committed a “cowardly act.” He said no human should be beaten like a piece of trash, and he didn’t feel that his brother posed a threat. Elizabeth Short, the victim’s aunt, said she wanted the court to give Bellmon the same consideration he gave her nephew when he was chopping wood. In a police report, it stated that Bellmon said that when he was hitting McLellan with the bat it was like chopping wood.
Bellmon’s attorney, Nick Lewis, said Bellmon was 28 years old and though he had not finished school, he had been steadily employed. He spent 11 months in jail before getting out on bond. Lewis said Bellmon was not a violent person. Lewis said Bellmon felt that he did the right thing, felt in fear, and felt what he did was in self defense. Lewis said he still believed that Bellmon might have a chance in trial, but that accepting the plea was best for Bellmon.
Judge John said despite the circumstances that the loss of life is always a tragedy. He sentenced Bellmon to five years suspended to the service of two years with five years probation. Conditions of the probation include random drug and alcohol testing and 200 hours of public service or maintain full-time employment. He gets credit for time served of 11 months.