Charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime for an incident that took place in Dillon County on July 5, 2017, Machale Bethea appeared before Circuit Judge Roger Henderson Tuesday for a bond hearing.
Bethea is charged in connection with the death of of Octavius Richardson that occurred at Sunflower Apartments.
Judge Henderson set bond in the amount of $100,000 and included strict house arrest and GPS ankle monitoring.
Local attorney David Watson, who represented Bethea, asked the Court to make the Solicitor delay presenting Bethea’s indictments to the grand jury so that Bethea would have time to schedule a preliminary hearing.
Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel argued against the delay, saying there is a case management schedule in place and that it would not be fair to other defendants if the schedule were changed for this particular defendant.
Judge Henderson denied Watson’s request.
Daniel said the investigation is ongoing and a court date has not yet been set.