By Betsy Finklea
A bond hearing was held for William Latavion Mason on Monday, December 23rd at the Dillon County Judicial Center in front of Magistrate Judge Andy Bethea.
Mason is charged with murder, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and petit larceny in the death of J.W. Bailey.
Judge Bethea said due to the nature of the charges he was prevented by statute from setting a bond so therefore, bond was denied.
Keith Bailey, son of J.W. Bailey, addressed the court and stated that the family wanted justice. He said if there was something that they needed, his father would have given them anything they wanted.
Mason is expected to appear for a bond hearing before a circuit court judge during the January 13th term of court.
Bailey was killed in his own store on Thursday, December 12th. He had owned and operated that store for 47 years.
Bailey was well-known in the community having served for over 52 years on the City of Dillon Fire Department, where he was chief for a number of years, and the Dillon Rescue Squad. A firefighter’s funeral was held for Bailey.