Police: Suspect hindered investigation
19-year-old gave false report, according to affidavit
By Ron Menchaca
19-year-old gave false report, according to affidavit
Adolphus Simmons, shooting victim.
Police say that a high school student who was at the scene when 18-year-old Adolphus Simmons was slain Jan. 21 hindered the investigation by concealing the murder suspect's identity.
Jackuez Witherspoon, 19, is charged with accessory after the fact of murder. Two juveniles, including the murder suspect, were arrested earlier in the week, but their identities have not been released because of their ages.
Witherspoon's bail was set at $75,000 during a bond hearing Saturday. His mother and other family members attended the hearing but declined to comment.
The Rev. Clary Samuels, pastor of Victory Baptist Church, says Witherspoon was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. "He was around the corner with some boys and they heard shots and ran over to see what happened," Samuels said. "He's a good boy. I can vouch for him. I don't know how he got pulled into this."
Simmons was shot around 8 p.m. while taking out the trash at Bradford Apartments on Bream Road. A freelance hair stylist with a penchant for women's clothing, Simmons has been described as jovial and fun-loving.
Spencer Pryor, North Charleston police public information office, has not said if police know of any motive behind the slaying. Pryor could not be reached for comment Saturday.
A witness told police that Witherspoon was present and aware of the shooting, according to a police affidavit. The day after the murder, Witherspoon "provided an inaccurate statement thus hindering the murder investigation and concealing the identity of the murder suspect," according to the affidavit.
Witherspoon testified in bond court Saturday that he is a senior at Greg Mathis Charter High School in Charleston and lives with his mother and stepfather in North Charleston. A police incident report lists Witherspoon as a suspect in a Jan. 7 incident at Simmons' apartment. Someone kicked in the door and took jewelry and CDs from inside, but no one was home at the time. It's unclear if that incident is connected to the shooting.
Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Chancellor (anonymous) says...
a 19 yr old high school student....
January 27, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gococks1985 (anonymous) says...
He should not have lied about it. Seems pretty simple to me. Looks like he himself put himself in this position, good boy or not...
January 27, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kellemac (anonymous) says...
I do agree with the comment above by gococks1985.He was also listed as one of the suspects on a police report that broke into the deceased's home, there seems like there was an ongoing thing with those two juveniles and Witherspoon harassing Simmons, he should defifnitely be prosecuted and he also needs to own up to his part in it.This was truly senseless to be gunned down while taking out the trash just because people dont agree with your lifestyle...
January 27, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
The article says that he was around the corner with "some boys, and THEY ran over to see"....where are the others? It seems that there are more fish to fry.
January 27, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lexylady (anonymous) says...
Kellemac,
Do you know for a fact that was the reason he was gunned down? I am just curious. I tend to think there may be more to it. I guess they will get to the bottom of it.
January 27, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mon_Kie (anonymous) says...
Don't snitch.
The code of the worthless little street thugs.
Therefore, they live in a hellhole of their own making.
January 27, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawks10 (anonymous) says...
Mon_Kie you are correct. Parents are teaching their kids the "don't snitch" rule. Nice parenting. Sometimes I don't feel bad for families whose "loved" ones dies. In this case, I do feel remorse for the family. The kid seemed targeted for other no good reasons. This lying, no good SOB who hindered the investigation should be held just as accountable for the murder.
January 27, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gococks1985 (anonymous) says...
Wow....I am an awful parent now...I've ALWAYS taought my kids to be honest and truthful no matter what. Thanks for teaching me how to be a good parent hawks10. Note to self...some people should not be parents!!!
January 27, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nochasgirl (anonymous) says...
Where are the pictures and names of all the juveniles arrested for MURDER and ACCESSORY TO MURDER?
January 27, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nochasgirl (anonymous) says...
And....what schools did they attend? Where do they live? What neighborhood?
January 27, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigblu (anonymous) says...
I can answer all of your questions! Adolphus was a good friend and I went to middle school with both him and Jacquez! I also saw Adolphus after he got shot! Before he went in the ambulance! I miss him! & I think they took his life for something very dumb I don't kno much of the reason why they did it because it's alot of rumors going around of why the 15 year old shot Adolphus! But you really wouldn't know whats the truth cause only GOD, Adolphus, and those boys know the real truth!
Rest In Peace Adolphus I miss you my good friend! I will never forget you!
January 27, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality_woman (anonymous) says...
Just a senseless act of hate. These kids need to be punished. I'm so tired of hearing these are good boys. Yes, good boys carry guns my butt. Time we start charging the parents of these boys for allowing guns. They must be made to be responsible for their children.
January 28, 2008 at 6:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jrobinson (anonymous) says...
Sometimes its not about not snitching. Its about not wanting you or someone in your family to be the next victim, because you cooperated with the police. Who's gonna protect you after you cooperate. The police can't be your personal bodygaurds, and you still have to live in the same neighborhood with the firends of the thugs that are accused of killing somebody. It's a sad situation.
January 28, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
It's everyone's responsibility to take care of their neighborhood. Your home is your sanctuary. You can't be afraid to live there. These people need to stand up as a group and take back their neighborhoods, their homes- their sanctuaries. Forget that don't snitch crap. So far, that hasn't worked for them. Take control, and run the garbage out. Call the police when illegal activity is taking place, and call again. And then keep calling. Demand a substation be put in their neighborhoods. They put one in the low income housing in Sangaree over 10 years ago for about a year. It helped. It is a nice housing area now. Very well kept up. Police presence will chase them away.
And lastly, take responsibility for your children! It is sickening when these young men are convicted of violent crimes and their mothers are there saying "he was a good boy" and he has a rapsheet 9 pages long. Shameful.
January 28, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
clemson91 (anonymous) says...
Forget...why are you commenting on happenings in Charleston? I thought you were a real Bostonian??
Here's your previous post:
"But, if being a "real Charlestonian" is supposed to be impressive, I may have you beat. I myself am a "real Bostonian". Ivy league education and debutantes....the whole thing."
If life is so good in Boston...what are you doing down here? I guess Boston is not as great as you think it is. So stop trying to tell us how to run our area...your opinion doesn't count down here!
January 28, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jrobinson (anonymous) says...
clemson91
evidently somebody needs to tell you how to run your area. if forget goes back to Boston, will that change whats happening in Charleston. Stop making ignorant comments, and start coming up with some solutions.
January 28, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
clemson seems to be a very angry person today. Everyones opinion counts. That's how you come up with possible solutions. Or maybe, just plain old conversation. Alot of people in this area originally came from somewhere else. The military brought in quite a few people over the years. Friends from everywhere make one's life alot more intresting. But that's just my opinion....
January 28, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
akkomplished (anonymous) says...
scnative4ever... as a black female I don't think that you are a racist for your comment. I do think that you're being stereotypical though. It is true that a lot of good neighborhoods are turning into ghettos. However there are a lot of predominately black neighborhoods that aren't ghettos and don't have crime. It's sad to say that a lot of people are thinking what you had the guts to say. Coming from a middle class family I can say that not ALL blacks want their children to live this way! I think that these so called ghettos are a crutch for minorities (especially blacks). I say this because these section 8 housing are extremely cheap. A lot of people move there and become comfortable... they don't try to find a good job so that they can move into a better area. They just accept where they are.
But... back to the topic at hand. Reguardless of where these children lived this was truly a sad incident. My prayers go out to the family of the victim. Hopefully our young children will wake up and begin to make smarter choices in life.
January 28, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Early: scnative is a racist. His words over the past several months have confirmed that. However, just because he is a racist doesn't mean that some of his points aren't valid.
His point about some neighborhoods going to pot because of an influx of blacks, on the surface, is a valid one. The problem with some neighborhoods is the influx of 'section 8' vouchers given to families that used to living in 'projects' and now are living in single family residences. In this area it just happens to be a primarily 'black & Hispanic' issue. In other areas of the state, region & nation it's poor whites and Native Americans.
Of course scnative will probably come up with stats to refute this, but when it comes right down to it, the deterioration of older neighborhoods is now becoming more of a socio-economic issue than a racial one.
Jrobinson: your point is a valid one also. Not many people understand there are many law-abiding and hard working folk living in some of these crime-ridden areas. Everyone knows everyone and some may fear being labeled as a snitch. Not because of not seeming cool but for the very real possibility of retaliation. Unfortunately, it takes a brave soul willing to lose more than sleep to do the right thing.
January 28, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
As always, eyfigueroa, well-said!!!!
January 28, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
akkomplished (anonymous) says...
I completely agree with eyfigueroa. Unfornately if you "snitch" you do have to deal with the consequences that comes along with it. Many have lost their lives because they didn't abide by the main law of the streets... "Never snitch!" This may sound crazy to those who does not understand how the streets operate. I'm not saying that this right... but it's true. And like eygigueroa said... most people choose not to snitch because they know that there will be a great chance of retaliation. I believe that this young man withheld the information because he probably knew that his life would be on the line if he didn't. And before anyone says it... I AM NOT MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM!!!
January 28, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
COB (anonymous) says...
It is our civic duty to report what we see. Just like anyplace else at work, school, etc. If you see it and don't report it your just as guilty. Integrity is the ability to do the right thing no matter what. When are we going to start teaching that to our children? The "thugs" that everyone is talking about are counting on you being scared. There is strength in numbers. Start crime watches,invite the police to the meetings. be visible and public about the fact that you are not going to put up with the garbage. The type of neighbor hood that people live in doesn't really matter. There is crime in everywhere. My heart and prayers go out to all those that have senseless losses. Babies killing Babies is getting all to frequent.
January 29, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Missing woman's fiance found dead in his home
- Isle of Palms wants to patch beach
- Local woman pleads guilty in tax fraud case
- Foxes' field of dreams: Ashley Ridge's award-winning athletic fields a labor of love
- Local homeowners seek foreclosure relief
- Sullivan's man seeks all school records
- Veterans Job Fair set for Feb. 22 in North Charleston
- Mom charged in baby's choking
- Boeing powering up first local jet
- S.C. to get nearly $34 million in mortgage deal
