Across South Carolina

Jury may hear abuse victims' statements

GREENVILLE --- A jury should hear statements today from two young girls who accused a Greenville man of raping them two years ago when they were 9 and 11.

James Garfield Depriest, 50, is on trial, charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of committing a lewd act on a minor, according to court records.

Circuit Judge Larry Patterson is expected to watch videotaped statements taken from the two girls by a child advocacy official in which they describe what happened to them. The Greenville News reported Monday that Judge Patterson said he will rule on whether the prosecution can enter the recordings as evidence.

Assistant Solicitor Bryna Seay said she intended to call the two girls to the stand to testify.

Ms. Seay told the jury on Monday that Mr. Depriest was in a position of trust with the girls when the crimes were alleged to have happened in 2005.

Couple charged in teen's stabbing death

UNION --- A football player at a small North Carolina university and his wife were charged with murder in the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, a high school cheerleader in South Carolina.

Pernell Clayton Thompson, 20, and Yolanda Dee Thompson, 19, were being held Monday at the Union County jail, accused of killing 16-year-old Marisha Jeter, authorities said.

The teenager was reported missing Thursday night, and her body was discovered under a bridge two days later. Her car was found torched in another county.

Police said Mr. Thompson's wife did not like him maintaining contact with Marisha. The Thompsons were married in the summer and have a child together.

Teen dies after losing control of 4-wheeler

MYRTLE BEACH --- A 16-year-old Surfside Beach resident was killed Sunday when she lost control of the ATV she was driving, Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard told The Sun newspaper.

Caitlyn Sanford was a sophomore at St. James High School.

The victim was riding the four-wheeler in some fields and was not wearing a helmet or any safety gear.

2 men injured in fire that destroyed house

HONEA PATH --- A father and son were burned Sunday night when fire destroyed their home.

Richard Davis, 51, and Jeremy Davis, 20, were injured, according to a report from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Anderson County Fire Investigator Keith Sonefelt told the Anderson Independent newspaper that one of the men was transferred to a burn unit in Augusta for treatment.

-- Edited from wire reports