Prosecutors seek death sentence
By Schuyler Kropf
Anthony Sanders
ST. GEORGE — Prosecutors filed for the death penalty Wednesday against accused triple murderer Anthony Sanders in the shootings of a mother and two of her children at a Dorchester Road apartment complex.
Officials have declined to speculate on a motive behind the slayings. But the death penalty notice contends aggravating circumstances in the homicides because they were committed during an act of criminal sexual conduct and a burglary. A finding of aggravating circumstances is necessary to seek the death penalty.
Sanders, who entered the Dorchester County Courthouse wearing orange-and-white-striped jail scrubs, said little during the two-minute hearing in front of Circuit Judge Paul Burch. He waved and smiled at a woman in the seating area before he was taken away. The case is the third death penalty prosecution pending in Dorchester County, officials said.
Sanders is accused of shooting Diane R. Grant, 44; her younger son, Jatavious DeVore, 20; and her daughter, DeAnna DeVore, 14, at the Archdale Forest Apartments on July 10, 2007.
Sanders was arrested after authorities matched shell casings found at other shooting sites to him.
It is not clear what Sanders' relationship to the three victims was, and 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe declined to disclose many details on the case. He did say that one reason for the time span in filing the death penalty notice was that two lab tests involving Sanders' DNA were conducted, one more specialized than the other.
When the homicides were discovered, authorities said Grant and her son had been shot once each. They were found inside the family's apartment. The daughter had been shot multiple times and was partially clothed. Her body was found outside, behind another building. Two young children asleep upstairs in the apartment were not harmed.
Sanders has convictions for possessing crack cocaine, driving under the influence and simple assault, State Law Enforcement Division records show. Before his arrest, he had lived in Forest Hills, down Dorchester Road from Archdale.
No timetable has been set for his trial.
Other Dorchester County death penalty prosecutions on notice include the case of Delronezy Washington, who was served last year when he was 18. He is accused of baiting pizza deliveryman Wilson James with an order and killing him during an armed robbery attempt. Also on the docket is the case of Kenneth Henry Justus, 41, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow inmate Justin Bregenzer, 22, in Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
RTC (anonymous) says...
He deserves nothing less for what he did to that family.
July 17, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ Tripsa
This jerk isn't fit for Jaws to eat, and Jaws will eat anything!
July 17, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
Lets see, by the time they fry him SCE&G will have the new Nuke station built so it wont cots a lot to pull the switch and use all that juice.
July 17, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
Can we all agree that the defendant should have a fair trial, with adherence to constitutional provisions in the law? I don't know anything about the facts of the case, but I believe that due process of law ensures the proper outcome, one way or the other.
The process is just as important as the "justice" handed out.
July 17, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
This is the first time I saw his picture and almost had a heart attack he almost looks like my grand son in-law. After taking a closer look his eyes are too tiny and the nose a bit bigger wow scary I hope he gets what he deserves
July 17, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Gadsden, I hadn't seen a post from you all morning.
Someone was arresting illegal workers in California and the mayor (mayor... councilman, whatever.) started saying how they can't do that because they're working. That's fine, but their illegals so who cares. The same mayor will not let police and sheriffs pull people over or arrest them just for being illegal.
He'll get a fair trial, but this isn't exactly a CSI case. Hasn't he already confessed?
July 17, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...
Once he is found guilty, justice can be done in a very affordable manner. We have lots of trees, plenty of rope, and any number of people who sick of scum like this guy who are more than willing to pull the chair from under his feet. (I don't want to put this dirtbag on a horse as it might insult the horse.)
"I'd take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope.
I'd hang 'em up high and let 'em swing 'til the sun goes down" - Charlie Daniels, "Simple Man"
July 17, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissPriss (anonymous) says...
I'm glad they are seeking the death penalty. I mean he killed three people....that's what the heck he gets. I vote we skip the court thing and hang him in the streets....
July 17, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justmyopinion7 (anonymous) says...
This is the saddest thing i've ever heard. I can't imagine what the family has been going through. such a senseless crime.
My idea of justice is to hand him over to the family, and let them do what they want to him. I don't think anyone would disagree with that punishment, regardless of how you feel about the death penalty.
July 17, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poor_paul (anonymous) says...
All you mean people - He really is a nice boy, and goes to church every week. Just because he might use crack, and rapes and kills people while robbing them, don't pass judgment on the poor boy... Let's have a fair trial, followed by a first-class hanging.
Coldbeer, this must be your full-time job, you have been on every article I have ever looked at postings for!
July 17, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
For everyone inquiring about our Coldbeer (the poster not the drink), he OWNS, yes OWNS, his own business and can post all day if he likes.
July 17, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rockytopron (anonymous) says...
The death penalty is a fit penalty for his crimes. That family did not deserve to die that way. Just imagine what the daughter went through before he killer her.
July 17, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartley8184 (anonymous) says...
All you people are so into hanging. You're too lenient. Personally, I favor the cat o nine tails or the Wheel of Agony for people like this. There is something to be said for medieval torture as a deterrent.
July 17, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
I miss eyfigueroa. Where is she?
July 17, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
How old is this scum? "He waved and smiled at a woman in the seating area before he was taken away." The sad part is most of these murderers have no remorse! He killed three innocent people and it looks like he raped the little girl. I wish I could get two minutes with him to wipe that little smirk off his face. Senseless.
July 17, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gizzy1234 (anonymous) says...
I say fry him also...I just heard about this on the radio in Columbia I grew up in Charleston...I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of buring him...Throw him off the pier. Prayers go out to family of the victims...NOT THE MURDER!!!!
July 18, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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