SC - Stephen Smith, 19, homicide, Hampton Co, 9 Jul 2015 *new death investigation 2023*

[Simply Southern]

This is odd, I thought FITS NEWS was publicizing Buster, as the suspect. Where's Mandy?
Moo

Cops are investigating persons of interest in murder of Stephen Smith

Law enforcement in South Carolina are eying two potential persons of interests in the 2015 murder of gay teenager Stephen Smith.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Law enforcement in South Carolina are eying two potential persons of interests in the 2015 murder of gay teenager Stephen Smith, who was found dead just a few miles from Alex Murdaugh's former hunting estate.

Local news website FitsNews has named the two people as Patrick Wilson and Shawn Connelly, both 25, citing sources from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Count me as someone not convinced it was not a hit and run. Haven't seen anything definitive to show that. A hit and run is still a crime and should be prosecuted if possible. Either way, there is someone out there who did this. They probably have notifications set for news alerts on the case. Hope they are stressed at least.

 

[Seattle1]

And shockingly, Cory Fleming represented PW in another case (attempted murder) that AM got dismissed. Geez, this web ran deep with AM and his cronies. IMO

<snipped & BBM>
Cory Fleming — a close friend of the Murdaugh family — represented PW in the case. In 2018, Fleming represented Gloria Satterfield‘s family in a wrongful death settlement against Alex Murdaugh. In 2019, Fleming temporarily represented Connor Cook in the boat crash that killed Mallory Beach.

In February 2018, Wilson’s indictment was nolle prossed — which means the 14th circuit solicitor’s office (where Alex Murdaugh worked as a part-time solicitor) decided to not prosecute and the charges were dropped.

Stephen Smith Investigation: Murdaugh Rumors Fly in 2015 Case

To be clear, Stephen Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. on July 8, 2015, in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, South Carolina, and the Fitsnews link is dated 9/3/2021 -- which IMO is a problem of its own when it comes to credible information!

From OP's quoted link, drilling down to the part of the story where the timeline details allegedly come from the 100-page case file (author/owner of case file not defined), we are first told that investigators on the scene on July 8, 2015 went back and forth between a gunshot homicide and hit and run accident.

If true, it appears to me that Stephen being killed by a hit-and-run driver did not actually originate with autopsy pathologist Dr. Erin Presnell.

So who were the initial investigators at the scene on July 8 besides SCHP?

We know SLED took the case from SCHP in 2021 after the Murdaugh murders.

What agency does Todd Proctor (Charleston) work for?

9/2/2015 ... According to the investigation file, the Highway Patrol didn’t touch the case between September 2, 2015 and late October.

11/17/15 ... 12:23 p.m. SCHP: Sandy Smith calls Duncan wanting to know if any of the interviews have led to new information.

Who is Duncan and what agency is Duncan from?

12/18/15 ...

Other than Randy M suggesting Mr. Williams report what he heard (contacted Cpl Duncan), what would motivate the stepdad to fabricate info from his stepson told to him in confidence?

Did drunk Conley really hit something in the road while driving his truck? I'm not seeing that Conley's claim was ever investigated but instead conflated with a different attempted murder event that happened in April 2015. MOO

 

[Simply Southern]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639471285771337731

Where did the theories linking Buster Murdaugh and Stephen Smith come from?
@Angenette5 has been following this story from the beginning and joins Dan to break it down.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639416806338097153

I'll be on @danabramslive tonight at 9 ET talking about Buster #Murdaugh issuing a statement this week stating he's being defamed when it comes to people accusing him of #StephenSmith's murder and rumors that have been reported about the two of them @LawCrimeNetwork

I think Jim Griffin said, it well....para phased ...anyone going forward, its clear defamation.

I'm glad BM made a statement, draws a line in the sand going forward.

SC law is very clear, those who write, speak or publish defamation can be held liable.

I've also noticed, FITS and crew have backtracked, removed many Twitter post and a couple of the pod cast have been removed.

Code of Laws - Title 16 - Chapter 7 - Offenses Against The Peace

www.scstatehouse.gov

SECTION 16-7-150. Slander and libel.

Any person who shall with malicious intent originate, utter, circulate or publish any false statement or matter concerning another the effect of which shall tend to injure such person in his character or reputation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction therefor, be subject to punishment by fine not to exceed five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to abridge any right any person may have by way of an action for damages for libel or slander under the existing law.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

I don't see any proof that Buster was involved, but it's not defamation to speculate or give theories how he could be involved. It's defamation when you knowingly state something false about a public figure. It's not defamation to say in your opinion you think he did it.

 

[Seattle1]

July 8, 2015, was a Wednesday.

I see a summer evening in 2015 where 19 yr olds including BM were on summer break and teen rumors in a small town grew legs.

I'd like to know more about why S Conley believed he hit and killed Stephen while driving drunk (as a crying Conely allegedly told to P Wilson).

Unfortunately, I'm not seeing this reported elsewhere but by Fitsnews. MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Stephen Smith investigators had Buster Murdaugh tips and suspected homicide

“We see no evidence to suggest the victim was struck by a vehicle,” South Carolina Department of Public Safety Officer D.B. Rowell’s summary of the scene reads.

nypost.com

3/24/23

Officials originally suspected foul play in the death of South Carolina teen Stephen Smith — and had heard “rumors” about the student’s link to Buster Murdaugh within weeks of the mysterious supposed hit-and-run, files from the initial investigation reveal.

[..]

Smith, 19, was found face-down in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, SC, with “some sort of blunt force trauma to the head,” South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) Officer D.B. Rowell’s summary of the scene reads.

“We see no evidence to suggest the victim was struck by a vehicle,” the note continues.

The nursing student was spotted around 4 a.m. by Ronnie Capers Jr., who drove by the body on his way to work and called 911.

[..]

Several write-ups from other responding officers, including one from a South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) investigator identified as “Booker,” note that Smith’s death “appeared to be a homicide.”

Multiple early reports also state that Smith had what appeared to be a gunshot wound above his right brow, and a defensive wound to one of his hands.

A conflicting autopsy​

The nature of Smith’s death, however, was changed later that day following an autopsy by pathologist Dr. Erin Presnell, who ruled that the teen was killed by a vehicle hit-and-run.

 

[Seattle1]

Smith, 19, was found face-down in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, SC, with “some sort of blunt force trauma to the head,” South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) Officer D.B. Rowell’s summary of the scene reads.

“We see no evidence to suggest the victim was struck by a vehicle,” the note continues.

^^rsbm

From OP's quoted link, drilling down to the part of the story where the timeline details allegedly come from the 100-page case file (author/owner of case file not defined), we are first told that investigators on the scene on July 8, 2015 went back and forth between a gunshot homicide and hit and run accident.

^^rsbm

OK, now we have a quote by SCDPS that I assume was on sight investigating the death that disputes the news as reported by Fitsnews!

I personally don't need any more examples to ignore this MSM source.

 

[lonetraveler]

To be clear, Stephen Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. on July 8, 2015, in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, South Carolina, and the Fitsnews link is dated 9/3/2021 -- which IMO is a problem of its own when it comes to credible information!

From OP's quoted link, drilling down to the part of the story where the timeline details allegedly come from the 100-page case file (author/owner of case file not defined), we are first told that investigators on the scene on July 8, 2015 went back and forth between a gunshot homicide and hit and run accident.

If true, it appears to me that Stephen being killed by a hit-and-run driver did not actually originate with autopsy pathologist Dr. Erin Presnell.

So who were the initial investigators at the scene on July 8 besides SCHP?

We know SLED took the case from SCHP in 2021 after the Murdaugh murders.

What agency does Todd Proctor (Charleston) work for?

9/2/2015 ... According to the investigation file, the Highway Patrol didn’t touch the case between September 2, 2015 and late October.

11/17/15 ... 12:23 p.m. SCHP: Sandy Smith calls Duncan wanting to know if any of the interviews have led to new information.

Who is Duncan and what agency is Duncan from?

12/18/15 ...
View attachment 412330


Other than Randy M suggesting Mr. Williams report what he heard (contacted Cpl Duncan), what would motivate the stepdad to fabricate info from his stepson told to him in confidence?

Did drunk Conley really hit something in the road while driving his truck? I'm not seeing that Conley's claim was ever investigated but instead conflated with a different attempted murder event that happened in April 2015. MOO

I guess Mr. Williams must have gone to Randy M to tell him what he heard or did Randy M get in touch with Mr. Williams to help him with his story so that a third male would not be named? JMO

 

[lonetraveler]

Stephen's car was found with the gas cap hanging down. This makes no sense to me. Surely one would know that you don't have to look inside of the gas cap opening to check if you were out of gas. Sounds like it was staged.

 

[girlhasnoname]

This is odd, I thought FITS NEWS was publicizing Buster, as the suspect. Where's Mandy?
Moo

Cops are investigating persons of interest in murder of Stephen Smith

Law enforcement in South Carolina are eying two potential persons of interests in the 2015 murder of gay teenager Stephen Smith.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Law enforcement in South Carolina are eying two potential persons of interests in the 2015 murder of gay teenager Stephen Smith, who was found dead just a few miles from Alex Murdaugh's former hunting estate.

Local news website FitsNews has named the two people as Patrick Wilson and Shawn Connelly, both 25, citing sources from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

She left FITSNews and has her own podcast.

 

[girlhasnoname]

To be clear, Stephen Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. on July 8, 2015, in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, South Carolina, and the Fitsnews link is dated 9/3/2021 -- which IMO is a problem of its own when it comes to credible information!

From OP's quoted link, drilling down to the part of the story where the timeline details allegedly come from the 100-page case file (author/owner of case file not defined), we are first told that investigators on the scene on July 8, 2015 went back and forth between a gunshot homicide and hit and run accident.

If true, it appears to me that Stephen being killed by a hit-and-run driver did not actually originate with autopsy pathologist Dr. Erin Presnell.

So who were the initial investigators at the scene on July 8 besides SCHP?

We know SLED took the case from SCHP in 2021 after the Murdaugh murders.

What agency does Todd Proctor (Charleston) work for?

9/2/2015 ... According to the investigation file, the Highway Patrol didn’t touch the case between September 2, 2015 and late October.

11/17/15 ... 12:23 p.m. SCHP: Sandy Smith calls Duncan wanting to know if any of the interviews have led to new information.

Who is Duncan and what agency is Duncan from?

12/18/15 ...
View attachment 412330


Other than Randy M suggesting Mr. Williams report what he heard (contacted Cpl Duncan), what would motivate the stepdad to fabricate info from his stepson told to him in confidence?

Did drunk Conley really hit something in the road while driving his truck? I'm not seeing that Conley's claim was ever investigated but instead conflated with a different attempted murder event that happened in April 2015. MOO

Yeah, convenient that PW's attempted murder charge was nolle prossed by the Solicitors Office aka AM & Company in Feb 2018.

I'm not saying it's in direct response to anyone in particular, but there always seem to be a set of 'circumstances' following the Murdaughs and LE involvement. Favor(s) perhaps?

MOO

 

[Seattle1]

I guess Mr. Williams must have gone to Randy M to tell him what he heard or did Randy M get in touch with Mr. Williams to help him with his story so that a third male would not be named? JMO

I'm thinking the latter. (From the Connor Cook playbook)...

I guess it's in one of the Murdaugh Murder podcasts by Mandy that the property near where Stephen's body was located is owned by Conley's grandfather and Conley and Wilson lived in a trailer here (as opposed to Mr. Williams not knowing where his stepson lived). And Conley was once a defendant in an auto accident suit where RM represented the plaintiff! I'm not going to listen to years of podcasts to link so it's all MOO.

eta: add link

"Both Wilson and Connelly lived in the area near where Stephen Smith's body was found, and there is information obtained by SLED investigators which has reportedly drawn a sharper focus on them as potential suspects," FitsNews founder Will Folks wrote.

Stephen Smith probe: Bombshell report names persons of interest in his killing

South Carolina authorities are focusing on two persons of interest in the 2015 homicide of Stephen Smith, who was found dead in the road miles from Alex Murdaugh's former hunting estate estate, a new report reveals.

www.foxnews.com

 

[DrQ]

IMHO I always felt this smelled like stinky cheese. Regardless of how this all turns out, I am glad for SS's family and hope they finally get some answers and justice. A hit and run always seemed hinky to me. His injuries and how he looked posed in the road seemed off. Regardless of whether or not Buster M was involved, with all the other illegal happenings with his family, people will slant their eyes in his direction. He will have to ride this one out. The important part is justice for Stephen.

 

[Seattle1]

3/30/32

Court TV Revisits Stephen Smith Crime Scene​

Dr. Kenny Kinsey, a star witness in the Alex Murdaugh trial, returned to the Stephen Smith crime scene with #CourtTV's Chanley Painter. Dr. Kinsey is now the lead investigator on an independent investigation into the nursing student's death.

 

[Seattle1]

Stephen Smith probe: Bombshell report names persons of interest in his killing

South Carolina authorities are focusing on two persons of interest in the 2015 homicide of Stephen Smith, who was found dead in the road miles from Alex Murdaugh's former hunting estate estate, a new report reveals.

www.foxnews.com

3/31/23

Rumors have swirled that the Murdaughs were somehow involved in the 19-year-old's July 2015 slaying, and the name of the once-powerful legal dynasty is referenced dozens of times in the original highway patrol report.

But the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has identified Patrick Wilson and Shawn Connelly as persons of interest — neither of whom are Murdaughs, according to the local news site.

SLED didn't immediately return a request for comment. Wilson and Connelly could not immediately be reached.

"Both Wilson and Connelly lived in the area near where Stephen Smith's body was found, and there is information obtained by SLED investigators which has reportedly drawn a sharper focus on them as potential suspects," FitsNews founder Will Folks wrote.

About five months after Smith's death, Wilson's stepfather, Darrell Williams, allegedly called investigators with a tip. His stepson, he said, told him that Connelly was driving a vehicle when it "struck and killed Stephen Smith." Wilson and Connelly were teenagers at the time.

 

[Seattle1]

3/22/23

SLED press release

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

 

[Seattle1]

I'm thinking the latter. (From the Connor Cook playbook)...

I guess it's in one of the Murdaugh Murder podcasts by Mandy that the property near where Stephen's body was located is owned by Conley's grandfather and Conley and Wilson lived in a trailer here (as opposed to Mr. Williams not knowing where his stepson lived). And Conley was once a defendant in an auto accident suit where RM represented the plaintiff! I'm not going to listen to years of podcasts to link so it's all MOO.

eta: add link

"Both Wilson and Connelly lived in the area near where Stephen Smith's body was found, and there is information obtained by SLED investigators which has reportedly drawn a sharper focus on them as potential suspects," FitsNews founder Will Folks wrote.

Stephen Smith probe: Bombshell report names persons of interest in his killing

South Carolina authorities are focusing on two persons of interest in the 2015 homicide of Stephen Smith, who was found dead in the road miles from Alex Murdaugh's former hunting estate estate, a new report reveals.

www.foxnews.com

3/31/23

The FitsNews report goes on to say that at the time of Darrell Williams' phone call to police, Wilson was facing attempted murder charges that were later dropped by a judge who was described as 'serving at the pleasure of the Murdaughs.'

In addition, within 12 months of Smith's death, Connelly's two motor vehicle accident lawsuits, both of which were dropped by 'Murdaugh-friendly judges,' according to the website.

Online records show that Connelly has a lengthy criminal record in South Carolina.

His charges range from multiple traffic infractions, including DUIs, domestic violence, hunting without a license, unlawfully killing an antlerless deer and purchasing alcohol as a minor.

Cops are investigating persons of interest in murder of Stephen Smith

ETA: What an incredible coincidence that the pathologist determined that Stephen was likely hit by the mirror of a passing vehicle and this is the same alleged confession by Connelly. MOO

 

[TeaTime]

Simply amazing to me that these two "suspects" were coming home from a baseball game. It's going to take a video to convince me that he wasn't hit with a baseball bat and that a blue baseball bat was the item of interest found in the Murdaugh investigation. This is just my opinion but I think there were three people in that truck. JMO

That's a lot of hoops to jump through.

Buster is the ultimate victim, he has to carry the burden of his father's sins, alone, his whole life.

No matter his once wealthy life, would anyone trade places with him now?

 

[lonetraveler]

3/31/23

The FitsNews report goes on to say that at the time of Darrell Williams' phone call to police, Wilson was facing attempted murder charges that were later dropped by a judge who was described as 'serving at the pleasure of the Murdaughs.'

In addition, within 12 months of Smith's death, Connelly's two motor vehicle accident lawsuits, both of which were dropped by 'Murdaugh-friendly judges,' according to the website.

Online records show that Connelly has a lengthy criminal record in South Carolina.

His charges range from multiple traffic infractions, including DUIs, domestic violence, hunting without a license, unlawfully killing an antlerless deer and purchasing alcohol as a minor.

Cops are investigating persons of interest in murder of Stephen Smith

ETA: What an incredible coincidence that the pathologist determined that Stephen was likely hit by the mirror of a passing vehicle and this is the same alleged confession by Connelly. MOO

Exactly! I would imagine glass from the mirror would have been all over the scene.