A South Carolina couple accused of intentionally running over and killing an Augusta man in the path of their tow truck surrendered Tuesday at the Columbia County Detention Center.
Michael Faron Brown, 27, and his wife, Victoria Brown, 21, turned themselves in about 6 p.m., Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris said.
The Browns are charged with murder in William Jacobs' death Thursday night.
Mr. Jacobs, 64, was hit by a wrecker outside the Martinez home of Lidie Joseph Clements on Roswell Drive. He later died of his injuries.
Police said Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Clements saw the Browns trying to repossess Mr. Clements' Dodge truck.
According to a Columbia County sheriff's report, Mr. Clements said Mr. Jacobs' van was parked between Mr. Clements' truck and the road. The wrecker pulled forward and back, damaging both vehicles while trying to retrieve the truck.
Mr. Clements said he approached the wrecker to speak to the driver, identified as Mr. Brown.
The wrecker sped forward toward Mr. Clements, according to the police report.
Mr. Clements said he jumped out of the way to avoid being hit. When he turned around, Mr. Clements said, he saw that the wrecker had driven over Mr. Jacobs. The man and woman in the tow truck drove away.
Mr. Jacobs was taken to Doctors Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police issued arrest warrants Saturday charging the Browns with murder. Mr. Brown also is charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, and Mrs. Brown is also charged with battery.
No bond has been set, Capt. Morris said.
Reach Valerie Rowell at 868-1222, ext. 110, or valerie.rowell@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Repo man. You have taken your job way too seroius. The "boss" can't help you. Ya'll probably had to sober-up, dry-out, or "come-down" after ya'll's stupid, dirty, murderous deed sank-in. Doing so probably will cut yall's time 5-10 years shorter. Mrs. Brown will probably become a witness for the state and leave ol' Michael Faron Brown blowin' in the wind. Young 'n' dumb these two.
Your story failed to mention that they drove away without the truck they were there to repossess. Have you bothered to ask anyone why? Do you think something may have happened to scare them? Try this...head on over to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and ask to see "them". Their attorney will have to be present but I am sure that can be worked out. People always say there are 2 sides to every story...there are three. Yours, Theirs, and the Truth. You should have researched your "facts" a little better. The "fugitives" as they have been named did not "surrender"...they turned themselves in. SLED, Columbia County Sheriff's Department...no one was in any way involved in their "capture"...it was the right thing to do. They were escorted by their parents. Before you rush to judgement and leave a hateful "how dare you" post...everyone is someone's child. My families deepest sympathies are extended to the Family of William Jacobs. We are so sorry for your loss.
I don't know if we will ever fully understand the why's or the how's... just know that my heart hurts for you. I know pain for it is my child that sits in Columbia County Detention Center.
Do you with your hateful ways know them? If you did, I would know you. You have no idea what you are talking about which just goes a little further to prove your stupidity. Do not make assumptions regarding things you know nothing of. There are 3 sides to every story...theirs, theirs, and the truth. Idiot.
If you are such a christian, why are you calling names?
If they were so innocent, they would not have left the scene. That action certainly implies guilt. Yes, the trurh will come out and they will be punished.
Re: PraisingHisName - I believe "surrender" is the correct term to use in this article. Was not a warrant issued for the arrest of this husband and wife? Then, by turning themselves into the police, they surrendered. And, while you are right that there are always three sides to the story, regardless of what happened here, a tragedy occured and a family is mourning because of your child's stupidity!
Justus: I know there is a pile of racsim in this area, but give it a break. Every post doesn't have to be about black and white.
Justus--everyone involved is white.
Praise--I am so sorry that you reared a killer.
PraisingHisName. Now here is some advice for you! Don't post something that will be used against your son/daughter later! If I were you, I'd talk to their attorney before you post any "facts" as you know it. NOW.... Your child, which is actually an adult, should have called 911 after they left. It has been what 5 or 6 days now? They listen to the news I am sure. They knew they hit that man....They should have driven to an area that was safe and called the police and waited for them to arrive. When you wait this long, it sorta gives the impression of guilt, don't you think? Actually, don't answer this......!
"Accident" happened Thursday, couple surrendered Tuesday. 4 days lapsed before turning themselves in. Doesn't sound like these two were too concerned about the right thing. The right thing would have been for them not to kill someone. The right thing would have been to stay and wait for the police to arrive, not flee the scene. It was an accident right Praise? Justus4, are you kidding? Does it really make a difference what color these people are? A man is dead.
PraisingHisName,my prayers are with you and your family as well as the victim's family. Although wiser choices should have been made in this situation and you will hear a lot of negative comments, remember where you help comes from and who your sustainer is. As with all sin, we must pay the consequences for those sins but He will see you through this. May God give the Jacobs family comfort and peace.
I understand accidents. I understand being threatened. I understand people being scared. I understand panic. I do not understand someone who could run somebody down, leave them to die, and not call the police.
There is no reason for them to wait 4 days to surrender. If they were in fear of their safety, then leaving the area would be acceptable, but once they reached safety, then contact law enforcement and cooperate with them. Tell your story. It did not take a lot of investigation to determine who was authorized to repo the truck. The lienholder would give that information to the Sheriff's Department upon request without warrents or anything of that nature. In fact there could be a requirement to notify the local law enforcement of the intent to repo. However, that does not make it any easier as a parent to see you child make a mistake and compound it with bad decisions. I wonder if these children sought refuge in the Lord as the posting parent would imply they need.
I just learned that Mr Jacobs is the man that played Santa Claus for many of our children. I grew up in columbia county and only knew him as Mr Claus. I even joked with my kids when we seen him at the store. I would tell them there is Santa you better be good. He truely looked like Santa. This whole story seems fishy to me. When the story 1st broke it was a voluntary repo. If that is so why was there any problem? Praying 4 Justice....
PraisingHisName /// I know your son, He was way to young and crazy for that line of work. He should have never left that address that nite. Now he will pay his dues for not making the right decisions that nite.. I hate it for Mike, He is a nice guy. It was all a accident, But he was scared. Scared people do crazy things. It's in the lord's hands now. But coming on here an saying what you are saying is crazy too. Just let it laid and the lord will handle the rest.
I want to know why, just a day or two after the death of this man, Mike and Victoria Brown posted on their MySpace page that they enjoyed a nice picnic. Who in their right mind goes on a picnic after killing (Accidental or otherwise) a man. They also had posted previous to that, words that eluded to the incident. So don't tell me that while they were having their "picnic", that they didn't know what they had done. That alone gives great insight into the mindset of this couple.
Also, do any one you who claim to know Mike know exactly how much training Renovo gave him before sending him out into the field?
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