Capital charges go slowly

Death penalty cases are sluggish in coming to trial because of frustrating legalities, no law regulating time

Web posted September 13, 1998

By Kathy Steele
South Carolina Bureau

AIKEN -- Within the past two years, Aiken and Barnwell counties have seen nine people slain from violence in the work place.

First on Sept. 16, 1996, three caseworkers with the Department of Social Services were shot to death at their North Augusta office. Nearly one year later on Sept. 15, four workers at R.E. Phelon Co. were killed at their work stations and three others were wounded.

Defendants in both cases -- David Mark Hill in the DSS slayings and Arthur Hastings Wise at Phelon -- will face possible death sentences if convicted.

But scheduling trials hasn't been a quick process.

``It's a very complicated process that's very frustrating to all parties, especially victims' families,'' said Solicitor Barbara Morgan.

Mr. Hill's trial now is expected late this year or in 1999, after two prior dates were bumped for various scheduling problems.

Mr. Wise's trial will depend in large measure on whether Ms. Morgan files for the death penalty in two other murder cases in Aiken County that happened earlier than the slayings at Phelon.

There's nothing in the law dictating when the cases go to trial.

But Ms. Morgan said, ``I feel it's very important to keep them in order chronologically. It's out of respect for the victims who've been out there the longest.''

Other cases in Aiken County which might involve possible death sentences are:

The slaying of Carl Ennis, owner of Southside Pawn and Gold on Owens Street. Four people are charged in connection with his death on June 23, 1997, and the theft of guns from his pawn shop. They are Curtis V.S. Kesl, 20, Ae Khingratsaiphon, 18, Kai Yang, 16, and James Vang, 16.

The death of 77-year-old Kelliroe Parkes of Aiken, who was found inside her Colonial Drive home, stabbed to death. Her adopted son, John Augustus Parkes, and his friend, Alfred Cable, are charged in the slaying.

Then, there's the case in Barnwell County that could follow Mr. Hill's trial.

Ms. Morgan has filed intent to seek the death penalty against Gregory Braxton. Mr. Braxton is accused of shooting to death convenience store clerk Melissa ``Missy'' Griffiths in April 1997. The body of the 30-year-old mother of two was found lying in a field off U.S. Highway 78 in Barnwell County.

A judge hasn't been appointed to the case and no trial date is set.