Judge Roger Henderson is presiding over a General Sessions term of court this week at the Dillon County Judicial Center.  On Monday, Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel was prepared to call two major cases to trial, but the defendants decided to plead guilty.  

The first was Johnathan Williamson, who admitted his guilt to the 2013 killing of Edward Broach.  His guilty plea was taken without a recommendation from the state, meaning the Court could sentence him up to 30 years in its discretion.  Judge Henderson handed down a 23-year sentence.  Williamson will have to serve at least 85% of that sentence.
The second was a burglary and robbery case involving three defendants:  Ryan Quick, Daquan Legette and a third defendant who was a juvenile at the time of arrest.  The three men were accused of breaking into a man’s home at night and holding him under his comforter while stealing two guns and money from his home.  Quick and Legette, both in their late teens, were charged as adults.  The other person, age 15 at the time of the crime, was charged as a juvenile.  Due to both his extensive criminal history and to the severity of this crime, Assistant Solicitor Daniel sought to try the other person as an adult at a lengthy hearing held weeks ago in juvenile court.  The Court agreed with Daniel, and the State was therefore allowed to handle the case as an adult case in General Sessions Court.  Judge Henderson sentenced each of the three men to 10 years, and all three will have to serve at least 85% of their sentence.
“We are pleased with the outcome of these cases,” said Daniel.  “There are serious consequences for these violent crimes, and while we can never undo them, we can and will seek justice for victims.  The Dillon County Sheriff’s Department is to be commended for its hard work in both of these cases.”
Several other matters are being handled during this term of court, which is expected to go through Thursday afternoon.