Son said 'I'll kill you,' mom says
Other son now charged with fatally striking brother with frying pan as mother cowered in locked bedroom
By Nadine Parks
A. Moricoli
Goose Creek — Loretta Lake was so frightened of her son that she was keeping herself locked in her bedroom.
The 71-year-old mother of three said J. Leroy "Jimmy" Moricoli, 46, was addicted to drugs.
He'd stolen just about everything she owned — her jewelry, her sewing machine, even her tools and lawn mower. Now, she said, he was after her prescription medication, the narcotics she needs for a painful diabetic condition in her feet. At night, he would rage, bang loudly on her bedroom door and try to break inside to get the drugs. In February, he tried to burn the door down with her inside.
She hid the drugs in her bra and pockets, but one night he snuck in through an outside window, quietly cut her clothing while she slept and took the drugs, she said.
"He had been threatening me for years,"
Lake said. " 'I'll kill you,' he told me."
Early Thursday in the Fanwood Road home, the pounding on her door started again, and Lake cowered in her bed. She could hear something sharp, like a knife, being stabbed into the door, over and over again.
Her other son, Aaron Moricoli, 38, was locked inside his bedroom as well, and she hoped he was OK.
Previous Story
Brother held in man's death, published 10/17/08
The pounding sound changed. Jimmy was using something blunt now, smashing away at the lock on the door. But then, the house went silent.
Lake said she didn't dare come out of the room, and she eventually fell asleep. About 5 a.m., Aaron knocked at the door and said that Jimmy was dead.
Aaron Moricoli is charged with murder. Investigators in an affidavit accused him of mortally wounding his brother by hitting him with a cast-iron frying pan. The blow was to the head, but the official cause of death is pending, said Berkeley County Coroner Glenn Rhoad.
The night before, Aaron went to visit his good friend, William White, to talk about the violence in the house. White said he told him the situation was out of control.
"Aaron told me, 'I will never let Jimmy hurt my mother,' " White said. "Aaron loved his mother to death."
Lake said the trouble with Jimmy began when he was young. He'd been before the juvenile court three times by age 13, she said. She had sent him to live with his father in Florida, and he never forgave her for that, she said.
His father didn't have much success with the boy either. The problems continued, and he became a ward of the state for some years, she said. He had been in and out of trouble ever since, she said.
"He loved me, though," Lake said.
Jimmy Moricoli was arrested in February for trying to set his mother's bedroom door on fire, and he was charged with attempted arson. On the ride to jail, he threatened to kill deputies, an incident report said.
He didn't make bail and sat in jail until his trial. He was sentenced to probation and released from the Hill-Finklea Detention Center on Sept. 2, the jail said. He was then transferred to the Charleston County jail, where he served time for a larceny charge. He was finally free on Oct. 4, and his mother took him in again.
She attended Aaron's bond hearing Friday night in Moncks Corner. She said she wanted him to know that she was there for him.
Berkeley County Magistrate Jim Polk read the charges, but a circuit judge must consider bond.
Aaron didn't say much during the hearing, but he did leave his mother with parting words before he was returned to his jail cell. "I love you, Mom," he said as he was led out of the courtroom.
Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.
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MCornerGirl (anonymous) says...
Honestly I hope this guy doesn't get the book thrown at him. I mean, the one son, Jimmy, had been torturing his poor mom, and I really can't blame the other son for knocking the hell out of him. But I know this probably doesn't make it any easier for the mom though. A sad situation all around.
October 18, 2008 at 2:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...
Yesterday,I said what could possibly make you take your own brothers life.Now I think he most likely didn't mean to kill his brother.It sounds like he was protecting his and his mothers life. That is gonna be a heavy weight on his heart. If it were a stranger he would not be behind bars and I do not think he should be.
October 18, 2008 at 2:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
If he was trying to protect the family His Mother, The system let the whole society down by leaving the animal run free, He should of been sent to the state mental instution for eval, then directly to prison for life, thanks Charleston for sending a nut back on the streets what a wacked out set judges we have.... Like polaticians getting to hate all them liers tooooo...
October 18, 2008 at 5:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lemonhead (anonymous) says...
he threatened law enforcement and he only got probation?no wonder the brother had to protect his mother,the law let him out and he continued to do wrong,the son shouldnt becharged cause it was a self defense act he was gonna break moms door down and could of hurt her and him am sorry the mother has to go thru this but at least she wont have to live in fear anymore
October 18, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stephaniem (anonymous) says...
berkeley county once again has screwed up
jimmy didn't live there and he was dangerous
Aaron should have had a gun. a couple of bullets would have done the job but aaron will most likely get prison time as people don't see how someone can defend themselves by repeatedly hitting another person with a blunt object until they go down.
the system failed these two
it takes alot of patience and love to stay and take care of an ailing parent. Jail was easier to me than taking care of a cancer striken mother.
who is taking care of his mother now?
October 18, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
this was self defense, for his mother and himself
there should have been no charges filed and he should be bonded on a personal recognizance immediately IMHO
most of us would have done the same thing, just much earlier...
October 18, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Drugs are a horrible thing. Makes you do horrible things and usually ends in an out come like this or an over dose for the user.
October 18, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
IF facts back up this story the only crime will be if the brother is not freed and all charges dropped.
October 18, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leedy111 (anonymous) says...
this was self defense for sure. He just couldn't take it anymore and wanted to protect his mother. I am not in the area, but those in the area should rally around this case and show their support of this man at court, outside the courtroom and write letters to the local judge. Don't just say it's self defense, show your support of this man and his mom. Do something about it.
October 18, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fockerout (anonymous) says...
it's the "system's fault" yet again as Stephaniem puts it.
October 18, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fockerout (anonymous) says...
The only thing this man should be charged with is not "whacking" his brother sooner
October 18, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
willbillbedamned (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately, if the brother was asleep when he was struck with the pan, it is NOT self defense.
October 18, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bugg (anonymous) says...
what kind of drugs did his mother have for diabetic foot pain? had to be some powerful stuff--- but, he was too wacked out to care about anything or anyone. society is better off with punks like this out of the picture--God Bless his mother and brother--a clear case of self defense.
October 18, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustSomeDude (anonymous) says...
Any lawyer should be able to show self defense in this case. If these are the facts of what happened, I don't know if a jury would convict him of anything. Worst case would be he gets probation for involuntary manslaughter or something.
October 18, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
Self defense all the way!!
October 18, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BILLYBOB (anonymous) says...
WHAT IF THEY MADE UP THE STORY - TO SAVE HIS HIDE?????
October 18, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bugg (anonymous) says...
that's a thought BILLYBOB, it would be hard to prove otherwise since dead men can't talk and there was no one else in the house. well, JIMMY probably had this coming anyway---it was just a matter of time.
October 18, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kontact (anonymous) says...
Yall dont think that the mom would say anything to save the other son? Hopefully thats not case.
October 18, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrjm (anonymous) says...
I have lived thru a situation like this - most people don't understand what fear does to someone; someone who normally would never harm another, much less a family member. I understand what Aaron did completely - he was under a tremendous amount of stress and the system couldn't keep him and his mother safe. Why did they let him stay there, you ask? To keep everyone else safe. Many times I allowed my drunk/addicted family member to crash at my house because I was afraid that they would drive or harm an innocent person. Such a sad, sad outcome...I hope that Aaron gets the help that he needs to overcome all of this, and that is not sentanced to jail. God bless this family so that can finally have the peace they deserve......
October 18, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
mrjm - well said
billybob - Then I hope it works because if it hadn't happened this way we would be reading about the addict killing him and his mother or others. Would that be justice? I trully feel sad that a person becomes this addicted to drugs and stays that way for so long. But, he was what he was and obviously someone was going to die because of it. IMO it should have been no one else but him no matter how sad.
October 18, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stephaniem (anonymous) says...
for those of you sticking up for the deceased, read the article
he gave death threats to the cops
I may get upset for my yearly speeding ticket, I may make jokes about cops weight but I would never run from, hit or threaten a cop.
the judge who gave this guy probation needs to be reviewed as people who will threaten cops for doing their job will attack all other groups...they only think about themselves.
no son should set a house on fire with the mother inside.
October 18, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GreenvilleGirl (anonymous) says...
There should be enough evidence and history to consitute self defense. However, they should have called 911 right after Aaron hit his brother. The time that lapsed before they called for help may present an issue.
I wonder why didn't they call 911 when he began hacking at the bedroom door of the mother?
October 18, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
" wonder why didn't they call 911 when he began hacking at the bedroom door of the mother?"
Seriously, could be because of results of doing so many times in the past led them right back to the danger they were in again?
October 18, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Spunky_Monkey (anonymous) says...
I would and will protect my mother at all costs as well. This poor man does not belong in jail/prison. He needs to be with his mother. He has protected her this far and she needs him by her side more than ever now.
That other child needed help, law enforcement turned their backs on him and this family and look what it has gotten everyone. A thorough investigation should be conducted as to why that animal was loose in society and instead not being given the treatment he needed or the prison time he seemingly deserved.
Jimmy was threatening, with DEATH, everyone around him including law enforcement officers. Aaron did nothing but defend his and his mother's lives!!!!! He should not have to suffer through any type of jail/prison time!
Let that man be free!
October 18, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wood_floors (anonymous) says...
Well said, spunkey...
The deceased had a history of violence (according to the article). I believe this man should be released to take care of his sick mother and provide the emotional support she needs. So many times, our court systems fail the community. Jimmy should have been put away a long time ago. History of drugs, violence...what's wrong with our justice system?!?!?
My heart goes out to this mother and Aaron. It appears that she did what she could to help Jimmy and to what cost...Now she's lost both of sons. It also appears that Aaron did the unthinkable because he had no other choice!!!
I hope that our justice system drops all charges against Aaron so that he and his mother can move on...
October 18, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stephaniem (anonymous) says...
about calling the police....
not so easy anymore.
many people gave up landlines.
some areas drop phone calls and a lot of berkeley county has bad reception . Some of my friends buy their minutes or don't use phones as they are a nuisance. I have a hearing problem so I only use the text part of my phone and email for everything else.
and if someone was breaking down my child/mom's door, I would be running to the rescue as it takes time for the police to arrive after you talk to them
people can do alot of stuff in 5-6 minutes
a house goes up in flames in that amount of time
October 18, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nurse7798 (anonymous) says...
I feel so bad for this mother and her son Aaron. This man needs to be released on a PR bond immediately. As for calling for help, most likely Jimmy would have been released shortly after he was arrested if they even arrested him at all. Then it would have been worse for the mother. I have an abusive husband and anytime I tried to leave it was always worse when he found me. Law enforcement in Sc is useless unless you have a cracked windshield or something stupid like that. Then they are all over you. I hope for once they do the right thing and see the self defense in this situation. I hope he gets an awesome lawyer to help him pro bono. Mom and Aaron you are in my prayers
October 18, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmh32 (anonymous) says...
He was defending his mom. How can he be charged with anything???
Stupid, dumb A-$$ cops. they and the judge should be the ones locked up, not Aaron.
October 18, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
Andy Savage will be all over this one!! He will get Aaron off on a lesser charge. I too know what it feels like to have a brother addicted to drugs. Sad case all around!
October 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
nurse7798- I noticed you posted."I have an abusive husband and anytime I tried to leave it was always worse when he found me." This sounded as if you currently have an abusive husband. If you do,there are resources out there that can help you leave. If you need help you can email me and I will find the resources for you. Theres no need to stay in an abusive relationship, you deserve better.
October 18, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrjm (anonymous) says...
Burton, I hope you are right - if ever there was a case that Andy Savage should take, it is Aaron's. I hope and pray that he does. At least he would have a chance to get on with his life.
ANDY SAVAGE - THIS MAN NEEDS YOU!!!!!!
October 19, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Yes nurse-there are all sorts of resources to help you & help protect you after you leave. If you have children you are obligated to protect them from this.
I have a friend who stayed in an abusive relationship for almost 2 decades. Long story but she stayed because she, like you, felt hopeless & helpless about leaving & being found. I met her about 2 years before she finally left.
You are right about "the system." She found that the LEO officers, who had experience & contact w/ the husband, were willing to do their part but the prosecutor was not...
Her case is in family court which does not have a good track record, but this time probably will do the right thing because all of the GALs, DSS case workers, attorneys & counselors have seen how this husband & father behaves(he has tried to use his abuse tactics of fear, intimidation & threats on them!).
October 19, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stephaniem (anonymous) says...
this is why everyone should have a gun. It is easier to tell the jury that you fired a couple of shots really fast while terrified than to explain how you could repeatedly hit or stab an attacker even if it was justified
October 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
secrets_stolen (anonymous) says...
You all need to realize only one side of the story is being told. the deceased will never have his chance to tell his side of the story. All you people know is what is being written. You can't always believe what you read or what people say. I'm sure none of you knew any of these people and its not fair to judge someone who you don't know. Why this article and other ones I've read only talk about all the problems Jimmy had is not fair. I have yet to read anything about Aaron's past or problems. You should be careful what you say because it could hurt and affect the people who just lost someone the know and love.
October 20, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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