Moncks Corner, South Carolina



From the Charleston Post and Courier of March 20, 2004:

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Berkeley jury acquits man in fatal shooting



Eagerton claimed self-defense in confrontation with victim



A Berkeley County jury acquitted an Alvin man Friday, saying he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot an unarmed man in the back two years ago.



The jury deliberated about two hours before clearing Archie Clifford Eagerton III, 26, of voluntary manslaughter in the April 1, 2002, death of Justin Maurice, 20, of Carnes Crossroads.



Eagerton claimed self-defense, while prosecutors said Maurice was trying to remove himself from a hostile situation and was shot as he turned away.



The two men did not know each other.

...



Eagerton said he had stopped by the Santee River the day of the shooting and gave some people he barely knew a ride.



One of them, Perry Howard, had a previous dispute with some people the victim was with at the Laurel Hill Boat Landing, Eagerton said. They wanted to attack Howard, and by association, Eagerton.



Eagerton drove off in his truck and was pursued by Maurice and four of his friends in a Chevrolet Beretta. Eagerton was chased nearly 12 miles to his rural Berkeley County home.

...



Eagerton said Maurice picked up his pregnant wife in the back yard of their Recluse Lane home and threw her to the ground.



"We were telling them to leave and that we didn't want any trouble," Eagerton said. "It was five against one. I had to do what I had to do."



Sheriff's investigators originally charged Eagerton with murder. That charge was dismissed during a preliminary hearing by a magistrate who didn't think the crime fit the statutory requirements of the charge.



Eagerton's attorney, Beau Seaton, said the case should never have gone to trial.

...



"Based on all the evidence, the jury felt Mr. Eagerton was in fear for his life and so he acted in self-defense," Deputy Solicitor Blair Jennings said. "I respect the jury's decision."