Lexington, SC - Trevor Devon Morris, 20, from the Batesburg-Leesville area, was convicted Thursday, February 28, 2020 by a jury of Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. Morris was sentenced to ten years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections by the presiding judge. Attempted Murder is classified as a “no parole” offense under South Carolina law.
On May 3, 2018, Morris did a drive-by shooting in downtown Batesburg. That evening, witnesses say that a blue SUV stopped on West Church Street. There Morris, who was in the back seat, yelled at the victim who was outside of a residence. Morris then pointed a .40 caliber handgun out of the vehicle’s window shooting at least ten rounds at the victim and into a crowd of bystanders. This group being shot at included small children. Fortunately, no one was injured. During the trial, Morris was identified as the shooter by several witnesses. Testimony also revealed that the weapons used during the shooting were hidden by an accomplice in the woods for Morris and the others involved.
The Batesburg-Leesville Police Department handled the investigation. Chief Wallace Oswald addressed the Court during sentencing sharing the effect this incident has had on his small, tight-knit community, and about his Department’s efforts to suppress local gang activity. Morris is a validated gang member. Morris will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to immediately begin the service of his sentence.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitors Bradley Pogue and Melanie Darko of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitors Office.
