The Newberry County Sheriff’s office announced Friday that they have arrested 22 year old Anthony Bookman of Prosperity in connection with the shooting deaths of two men Thursday. The bodies of 30 year old Ralph Harp of Greenwood and 36 year old Donald Springs of Saluda were found in the parking lot at Horne’s General Store. Major Todd Johnson says the men were making a deal to buy a pound of marijuana and Bookman fired shots.

“How tragic it is that someone would lose their life over the alleged deal of a pound of marijuana,” says Johnson, “and how tragic is this drug culture.  There are always going to be catostrophic ends.”

Circuit Court Judge James Williams re-affirmed his sentence of three years probation and community service for John Ludwig in his reckless homicide case at a hearing this morning. In this case, he was given probation after crashing his car into a house, which killed the occupant. After the sentencing, the  Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Robert Ariail the judge to reconsider his sentence.

Meanwhile, Ludwig was also sentenced to three years probation after he pleaded guilty to an assault charge involving Benji Brown, a friend of his ex-wife. [Read more...]