Anthony Willis, 19, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder in a Dorchester County courtroom this afternoon. The Summerville teenager shot and killed 18-year-old Justin Smoot near Muir Court on May 2, 2011, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors described Smoot as a high school student who had his whole future in front of him. Smoot and Willis got into an argument outside the Churchill Commons apartments before Willis shot Smoot with a high-powered rifle, First Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese told the jury during opening statements.
Several witnesses were called by the prosecution on Tuesday, including friends of Smoot, who were at the scene of the shooting.
Willis is also charged by Summerville Police for a robbery and separate carjacking that authorities said he committed while he was out on bail for the murder charge. Those charges remain pending.
