Judge appointed to hear DSS murder case

Web posted August 5, 1997

By Kathy Steele
South Carolina Bureau

AIKEN -- A judge has been appointed to preside at the trial of the North Augusta man accused of killing three Aiken County caseworkers.

Circuit Judge Marc Westbrook from the 11th Circuit, which covers Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick and Saluda counties, was picked by the South Carolina Court Administration to hear the trial of David Mark Hill. If found guilty, Mr. Hill could face the death penalty.

No trial date has been set. However, 2nd Circuit Solicitor Barbara Morgan said the case possibly could be scheduled for early 1998.

Mr. Hill was arrested on Sept. 17, one day after three caseworkers were shot to death at the North Augusta branch office of the Aiken County Department of Social Services. He had shot himself in the mouth and was found by police lying on railroad tracks about a mile from the DSS office.

Police said Mr. Hill, distraught over his 4-year-old paraplegic daughter being placed into foster care, walked into the DSS office with a semi-automatic handgun and demanded to see his family's caseworker.

Mr. Hill was indicted in April on three counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of caseworkers Josie Curry, 35, Michael Gregory, 30, and Jimmy Riddle, 52.

At the time of his arrest, Mr. Hill, 37, also was charged with assault with intent to kill in connection with a gunshot fired at caseworker Annette Michael. Ms. Michael, who wasn't injured, fell to the floor and played dead.

However, the solicitor's office opted to drop that charge in favor of an indictment on the more serious charge of attempted murder. Indictments were also brought against Mr. Hill on possession of a weapon while committing a violent crime and second degree burglary.

Mr. Hill is being held at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, S.C.