Accused triggerman to appear in court

The accused triggerman in the 2007 shooting death of state Constable Robert Bailey in Lincolnville is scheduled to appear in court this morning.

Walter Fayall III, 27, of St. Stephen, is expected to make a 9:30 a.m. appearance before Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker at the Charleston County judicial center, according to the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office. Prosecutors offered no clue as to the reason for the appearance or what might happen.

Fayall is charged with murder, kidnapping, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, possession of a stolen firearm and grand larceny. Prosecutors previously announced their intention to seek the death penalty for the triggerman.

Bailey, 67, a retired former Dorchester County deputy and Charleston police officer, worked as an unpaid volunteer patrolling Lincolnville streets. He vanished late May 14, 2007, while pulling over a Chevrolet Caprice on Greenwood Street, authorities have said.

Investigators have said that Fayall, a federal fugitive, and his girlfriend, Asia Prioleau, 22, were inside the car. They lived in a house next to the spot where Bailey stopped them.

Blood, the constable's cap and two guns were found nearby. His patrol car was found burned in the Sangaree area. Authorities launched a massive five-day search and arrested five people before unearthing Bailey's body a few miles off Interstate 26 in Orangeburg County.

Federal marshals and police arrested Fayall in Charlotte about two days after the killing.

Reach Glenn Smith at gsmith@postandcourier.com or 937-5556.