New murder charges in deaths of Horry County couple. In 2008, Richard Gagnon was sentenced to life in prison for the crimes. Opening statement began late Monday, and closing arguments wrapped by 1 p.m. Wednesday. [37][38], Cassidy owned numerous registered firearms, including shotguns and long rifles. As far as Gagnons conviction, Hembree said it will stay. Issues with information-sharing between agencies had been a problem in recent years and has sometimes involved high-profile incidents such as the storming of the U.S. Capitol and the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Myrtle Beach Police Officer Richard Beatty testified that he made a traffic stop on Hill on Ocean Boulevard later in April 2005, after the murders. The charges against him were ultimately dismissed in 2015. [5], As a result of the shooting, service throughout the VTA light rail system was suspended for months. [34], Police identified the gunman as 57-year-old VTA employee Samuel James Cassidy. Bruce was convicted on both charges in September 2011. The state Supreme Court has affirmed the life sentence of a North Carolina man for the 2005 killings of an Horry County couple. Based on witness testimonies and Charles blood found on their footwear, Bambi and her boyfriend, Richard Gagnon, were arrested 2 weeks later by the police. Hill filed an application for post-conviction relief in another effort to vacate or change his sentence with the state the following year. On both counts, Bruce was found guilty in September 2011. Why are police flushing Ocean Blvd? Man on trial after DNA links him to 2005 double murder, Click here for photos related to the double murder arrest, Coroner: NC college student struck, killed by vehicle in Myrtle Beach, Police: 1 dead, another hurt after shooting reported at Horry County bar, PHOTOS: Damage reported after Sunday storms move through Grand Strand, Coastal Carolinas Jerrod Clark, Lance Boykin sign with NFL teams, wmbf-publicfile@gray.tv - (843) 839-9623. By LUIS ANDRES HENAO As per the authorities, they also had a spat with Diane and Charles over custody of Bambis sons and inheritance. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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CONWAY - A probable cause hearing over DNA evidence could lead to new information in a 2005 Horry County murder case. That is unless he fights it which could delay his arrival by up to 30 days, once he is here, he will be arrested, formally charged, and a trial date will be set. Sacred Space Memorial. In his closing argument Solicitor Greg Hembree focused on the DNA evidence. There is no question. Richardson said he did not have any new information about Gagnons case and that it continues to progress through court proceedings. [5][14][23] At 8:08 a.m., the gunman was confirmed to be down. The shooting took place at the VTA's Guadalupe Division facility, which is located in the Civic Center neighborhood of San Jose, near the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and San Jose Police Department headquarters. It wasn't until 2009 that Bruce was finally arrested after his DNA matched the unidentified DNA at the Parkers' home while he was detained for another home invasion charge. [46] President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both urged Congress to take action on gun control legislation. Gagnon's appeal was heard by the S.C. Court of Appeals after the conviction of Bruce Antwain Hill, 27, of Tabor City, N.C., in September 2011. As a child Bruce enjoyed spending his time farming with the family and hanging out with the neighborhood kids. Bruce M. Winn (1959-2012) was an American ceramic artist . In his appeal, Hill had challenged the circuit courts ruling to suppress evidence regarding Gagnons conviction; allowing the jury to see a letter about his DNA being in a national crime database; and that his rights were violated after a continuance was granted for prosecutors a day before the expiration of an Interstate Agreement on Detainers Act in the case. [38][39][40] According to coworkers, Cassidy was angered over a change in policy that ended cash payouts for unused vacation days and, in April 2021, aired his grievances over the radio communication system for light rail operators. Photos showed the crime scene, the home on Highway 90 where the Parkers were found dead. The reason Hill's DNA was entered into the database was never mentioned in the trial. Witnesses had placed them in the Parker residence on the night before the discovery of the bodies. David McClure who supervises SLED's involvement with the national DNA database said in 2009 he was alerted that Hill's DNA matched the DNA from the blood drops found 2005. Appellant Bruce Hill was convicted of two murders and first-degree burglary, arising from a home invasion and double homicide in Horry County in 2005. He received concurrent life sentences for the murders and a concurrent thirty-year sentence for the burglary. Though Bambi was later released due to lack of evidence, with false testimony and other underlying clues, Gagnon was convicted and sentenced to prison for life without parole. Myrtle Beach vacation turns to probation, manager says. Blood found in the Parker's bedroom was not linked to anyone in 2005. Hill was charged with first-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree murder of Charles and Diane. Hill was convicted of the murders and the robbery, which led the judge to give him a life sentence followed by another 30 years in prison. Horry County police charged Hill in 2009 after his DNA sample, which was taken when he was committed to the Tennessee Department of Corrections to serve a seven-year prison sentence, was uploaded. Hill was also found guilty of burglary, and John sentenced Hill to 30 years in prison for that crime. On the morning of April 12, 2005, two employees of Charles Parker's office found the couple shot to death in their Nixonville home. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. As of this date, Bruce is married. Associated Press. Hill is in South Carolina now. Now police say DNA evidence from the scene matches 24-year-old Antwain Bruce Hill who is currently jailed in Tennessee awaiting extradition to Horry County. Charles Edward Parker Sr. was born in Conway in Horry County, South Carolina, on December 22, 1950. In October 2013, Hill was returned to Horry County, but he invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify in Gagnons appeal. Hembree said they are trying to extradite Hill to Horry County within the next week. Aisha Khan Since the 2005 deaths of Charlie and Diane Parker a second person is now charged with. See full bio . They reportedly lived under a tent in the forest and visited the house to shower and eat while the elderly couple were away. On August 2, a free bus bridge began serving portions of the Blue and Orange lines between Paseo de San Antonio and Milpitas stations. [24] Their ages ranged from 29 to 63 years old, and many of them were longtime employees. Bruce and Richard were initially believed to be co-conspirators of the double murder, but Bruce refused to know Richard in a prison interview. Horry County Police crime scene investigator Robbie Caulder and other witnesses repeatedly told the jury how carefully that blood evidence was handled. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Bruce was born to George and Connie Wagner on October 23, 1961. However, this crucial information was discovered a. [50], VTA light rail service was suspended on the day of the shooting and replaced by a bus bridge. Testimony is scheduled to begin Tuesday. [7] Although Cassidy did not use an assault weapon, Attorney General Rob Bonta cited the San Jose shooting in a statement opposing the ruling. Unidentified DNA at the crime scene remained the only thing that could get Richard out, and it did. A testimony from. "I hope the truth will come out," Skipper said. He appealed for post-conviction relief again in 2017 and even asked for a new attorney in his application. Prosecutors said Hills blood was found inside the Parkers home, but it was unclear what caused Hill to bleed. Horry County police charged Hill in 2009 after his DNA sample was uploaded into a national database and linked to the Parkers deaths, according to authorities. [59], The shooting caused significant damage to light rail operation and control equipment. The families of at least seven of the victims plan to file a lawsuit in 2022. The Sun News reports 33-year-old Bruce Antwain Hill, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the deaths of Diane and Charles Parker Sr., requested a new attorney Tuesday, as part of an application for post-conviction relief. Though Bambi Bennett was let go due to lack of evidence, Richard Gagnon was convicted of the crime after another convict falsely testified against him. Gagnon, who had dated Diane Parkers daughter, Bambi Bennett, has denied playing a role in the slayings and during a hearing in September 2013 Gagnon denied knowing Hill. [8][9] When they arrived at 6:35 a.m., they found multiple people shot. The gunman then walked over to Building A on the eastern side, where he continued firing. The police also collected samples from an unknown suspect in an unrelated home invasion near Longs in Horry County in 2006. We affirm. Read on for more details about Richard Gagnon's conviction. There is no doubt Bruce Hill was in that house. [41] Cassidy's sister said that she suspected something happened at work on May 25 that motivated her brother to commit the shooting the day after. 13/09/2022 by Ellie. [21], It was the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the Bay Area, exceeding the death toll of the 101 California Street shooting that occurred at a law firm in San Francisco in 1993, in which nine people including the gunman were killed. Bennett also was charged in the deaths of her mother and stepfather, but prosecutors later dropped those charges. [48] On June 22, the San Jose City Council made plans to introduce a resolution commemorating the victims' lives. [8] A locker belonging to the gunman was found to contain suspected materials for bombs and detonator cords,[14] which were later deemed not to be dangerous. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. 01 May 2018; by James Wray; Monsters and Critics ; Diane and Charles Parker's murder in their own home is the subject of Unusual Suspects, in a case where the wrong man spent eight years in prison. She does not think Hill's trial has gotten nearly as much attention, which she believes is unfortunate. The prosecution later dropped those charges, saying there was not enough evidence to convict her. However, his sentence still stands and Bruce, in his late 30s, is presently incarcerated in a cell at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. Be the first one to comment on this story. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Connie Wagner, his sister Carla Hoefer, nephew Mark Hoefer, and niece Kelly Bentz. Diane Parker (I) on IMDb: Movies, Tv, Celebrities, and more. A crucial piece of evidence eventually led the authorities to the real criminal, thereby freeing Richard Gagnon. [37] She also said that he had talked about killing people at his workplace more than a decade ago. The charges against him were ultimately dismissed in 2015. He was tried and convicted of two counts of murder and first-degree burglary and was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences, plus another concurrent 30 years. His sentence is expected to be completed in September 2014 and he will be returned to South Carolina to begin his sentence here. After a witness was found to have lied during Gagnons trial, he successfully appealed his case. Charles and Diane Parker, two 54-year-old residents of Nixonville, lived a quaint and peaceful life before a tragedy struck the elderly couple. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Charlie and two other employees of the company had found the couple dead inside their home and called the police. His involvement was never mentioned in Hills trial. He used three semiautomatic handguns in the shooting, which were legally obtained. Bambi was released later due to a lack of evidence tying her to the crime. Investigation Discoverys Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent: Shattered Dreams lays down the facts and follows the complex trials meticulously, making it easier for the viewers to understand. "One in 3.3 quadrillion? CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - A second man is on trial this week for a double murder in Horry County in April, 2005. Hembree added that during the initial trial they knew about another person being present during the killings. [73][74] Representative Zoe Lofgren of San Jose emphasized the need to pass the Enhanced Background Checks Act and the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which are unlikely to overcome a Senate filibuster. If you wish to know more about the case, youre at the right place. Bruce was convicted on both charges in September 2011. Hill is currently at Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina, where he is serving his life sentence. Hill and 41-year-old Richard Gagnon were each convicted in the Parkers deaths. [57] The remainder of the Blue Line was restored on September 12,[58] followed by the Green Line south of downtown on September 18. [3][15][17], A CBP report on the encounter, released in July 2021, revealed Cassidy had harbored "dark thoughts about harming" two specific people, whose names were redacted from the report; it is unclear if they were connected to VTA or among the shooting victims. Robert Dudek, Gagnon's attorney, filed a post-conviction motion for a new trial in 2012. Hembree also said that Gagnon, while in jail, told a fellow inmate unrelated to the case about another person being involved in the Parkerss murder. Bruce spent much of his life milking cows and when he sold his dairy cattle, he bought his first herd of beef cattle. He was one of the four sons of Lorraine D. Parker and the late William Lloyd Parker Sr. Charles was a deeply religious man, being a member of Tilly Swamp Baptist Church and a member and past Master of various religious congregations. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered--Who is Bruce Antwain Hill and where is he today. With the help of Cindy, Allison comes to learn about her birthday of Patty and starts planning an . can stop at any time. 24-year-old Antwain Hill is charged with the 2005 murders of Diane and Charlie Parker. [66], San Jose officials invited other California cities to join an amicus brief supporting the state's appeal of Miller v. Bonta, which by coincidence struck down the state's 1989 assault weapons ban several days after the shooting on June 4. As the owner and operator of MIRRORTEC, he was self-employed and loved fishing and hunting. The police nabbed the alleged killer quickly, but what followed was a gross miscarriage of justice only to be corrected years on. [5], The day after the shooting, a vigil was held outside San Jose City Hall and attended by hundreds, including the victims' families and many VTA employees, who were dressed in their work attire. To send flowers [5] Over 100 people were at the facility at the time of the shooting, according to the sheriff. According to her previous attorney Jim Irvin Bennet is currently in Florida. Also, read Diane and Charles Parker Murder | Where is Bruce Antwain Hill Now? The funds are intended to help the VTA "provide mental health resources to employees and their families, resume light rail service and improve safety upgrades at the Guadalupe Rail Yard", where the shooting took place. He had previously filed an appeal, but the state Supreme Court upheld his sentence in July 2014. [17][25], At the same time the house fire was reported, the fire department received another call confirming there was an active shooter at the facility. DNA was even more important to the prosecution's case. Video captured outside the Supreme Court building on Friday showed police responding to the area as screams of agony were heard. Biden during White House meeting", "After VTA shooting, San Jose library workers worry they're next", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2021_San_Jose_shooting&oldid=1151446405, This page was last edited on 24 April 2023, at 03:18. Enter He had fired a total of 39 rounds from three semiautomatic handguns, and had been carrying 32 high-capacity magazines, some with 12 rounds and others with 15. Willow Glen Funeral Home. [22] Before their deaths, some of the victims had led coworkers to safety. [61] The agency has not yet decided whether to remodel, or demolish and rebuild the buildings damaged during the shooting. Bruce Antwain Hill, 33, of Tabor City, N.C., had filed an appeal after his conviction of the murders of Diane and Charles Parker Sr., both found shot to death April 12, 2005, in their home off. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. [9] Agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded. The two were found shot dead in their Nixonville home just outside of Conway. Bruce Hill now faces two counts of murder. Strangely, it did not match the samples from either Bambi or Richard also. [44] Some employees criticized the VTA's efforts to help them after the shooting; they claimed the Authority did not actually care for them and attributed the assistance efforts to the local Amalgamated Transit Union instead. Meanwhile, the police had been trying to find a match for the unidentified DNA profile they discovered at the crime scene. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered: Where is Richard Gagnon now. [17], At 6:33 a.m. the San Jose Fire Department received a call to respond to the VTA facility, though the first caller did not mention anything about an active shooter incident, according to dispatch audio. Depends on whom you ask", "Santa Clara County DA: VTA shooter could have been stopped if feds told local authorities about prior detention", "Gunman who killed 9 in San Jose VTA railyard shooting fired 39 rounds, targeted victims", "12 guns, bombs and 25,000 bullets recovered from home of VTA shooter", "San Jose gunman had 22,000 rounds of ammunition at his house, which sheriff's office thinks he set on fire", "VTA Yard Shooting: Gunshots Appear to Have Continued for 10 Minutes After Initial Calls for Help", "Police release dramatic bodycam video of San Jose rail yard shooting", "Horror at the VTA: The unbridled terror, true heroism behind Bay Area's deadliest mass shooting", "Dramatic recordings of VTA employees as a killer stalked them", "8 people slain, suspected gunman kills himself in mass shooting at San Jose rail yard", "San Jose mass shooting: VTA shooter's family apologizes, says he felt lost to them for months", "Diagrams show mayhem during Samuel James Cassidy's rampage at S.J. Be the first one to comment on this story. What has happened to Bruce Antwain Hill? All were VTA employees. Sheriff's deputies block access to the VTA Guadalupe Division yard a day after the shooting took place. However, the CBP agents apparently prioritized sex tourism in their questioning of Cassidy, noting "sex friendly" hotels that were mentioned in his writings and his text messages with women in the Philippines. "Even though it is a recently developed evidence it's not evidence of Gagnons innocence.. A gunman killed nine people and then committed suicide, for a total of ten deaths. All rights reserved. [55] On August 29, light rail service returned to the Orange Line and part of the Green Line. Another man has already been convicted for the murders. According to a DHS official, Cassidy was detained by the officers partly because of red flags regarding sex tourism, but nothing relating to sex tourism was found, and the detention did not result in an arrest or apparently any follow-up action. "It's sealed. She actually believes Gagnon was wrongfully convicted. More at IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent, publicist, legal on IMDbPro. Our Sports Extra pages are formatted like traditional printed sports results, and are available in our e-Edition print-replica newspapers.

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