SC v. Christopher Dontell: Coroner Affair Murder Trial

[CHEL]

 

[arielilane]

Interesting - The defense team comprises a father and two sons. I've seen father/son duos and brothers, but I'm not sure I've seen this family dynamic.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1932457880562835620

 

[arielilane]

Prosecutors, defense present opening statements; witnesses take stand in Day 1 of Conway woman’s murder trial

Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday in a high-profile murder trial in Horry County.

www.wmbfnews.com

Updated: 2 hours ago

 

[arielilane]

Investigators testify in Horry County murder trial

Testimony in a high-profile murder trial in Horry County continued Wednesday.

www.wmbfnews.com

June 11, 2025, Updated: 3 hours ago

 

[arielilane]

CHRIS DONTELL TAKES THE STAND​

A former deputy coroner and current co-defendant in an Horry County murder trial took the stand on Thursday to recount his version of the night of the murder.

Fourth day of Horry County murder trial gets underway Friday

A Horry County murder trial picks back up Friday morning.

www.wmbfnews.com

Jun. 13, 2025 |Updated: 23 minutes ago


PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Ex-deputy coroner delivers emotional testimony on day 3 of Horry County murder trial

Investigators testify in Horry County murder trial

Daughter testifies against mother in Horry County murder trial

 

[less0305]

CHRIS DONTELL TAKES THE STAND​

A former deputy coroner and current co-defendant in an Horry County murder trial took the stand on Thursday to recount his version of the night of the murder.

Fourth day of Horry County murder trial gets underway Friday

A Horry County murder trial picks back up Friday morning.

www.wmbfnews.com

Jun. 13, 2025 |Updated: 23 minutes ago


PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Ex-deputy coroner delivers emotional testimony on day 3 of Horry County murder trial

Investigators testify in Horry County murder trial

Daughter testifies against mother in Horry County murder trial

Thanks for covering this case. I came in thinking this would be a popular thread. I've been glued to the trial of MJ. Watching her facial expressions has captivated me.

 

[cujenn81]

Thanks for covering this case. I came in thinking this would be a popular thread. I've been glued to the trial of MJ. Watching her facial expressions has captivated me.

I work in Conway and this is the first I’ve ever heard about this case!

 

[less0305]

We snowbird in North Myrtle. I started following it when the news broke that they were arrested. I couldn't believe a deputy coroner was arrested. This trial is wild. I felt so immensely sorry for her daughter, who testified this week. I thought she would throw up from nervousness on the stand. There are also reports of her abuse of her children, but no charges have been filed on that front yet. I hope that after this trial is over, they do. She allegedly locked them in their rooms for hours and hours, not letting them out to potty or eat. They would have to urinate and defecate in whatever they could find. The 13-year-old allegedly weighed 50 lbs when the mother was taken into custody.

 

[Luna20]

CHRIS DONTELL TAKES THE STAND​

A former deputy coroner and current co-defendant in an Horry County murder trial took the stand on Thursday to recount his version of the night of the murder.

Fourth day of Horry County murder trial gets underway Friday

A Horry County murder trial picks back up Friday morning.

www.wmbfnews.com

Jun. 13, 2025 |Updated: 23 minutes ago


PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Ex-deputy coroner delivers emotional testimony on day 3 of Horry County murder trial

Investigators testify in Horry County murder trial

Daughter testifies against mother in Horry County murder trial

It was difficult to watch him testify. I feel sorry for him, he seems credible at this point. She on the other hand seems evil and wants to imply that this was his fault. Her facial expressions look demonic.

 

[Luna20]

We snowbird in North Myrtle. I started following it when the news broke that they were arrested. I couldn't believe a deputy coroner was arrested. This trial is wild. I felt so immensely sorry for her daughter, who testified this week. I thought she would throw up from nervousness on the stand. There are also reports of her abuse of her children, but no charges have been filed on that front yet. I hope that after this trial is over, they do. She allegedly locked them in their rooms for hours and hours, not letting them out to potty or eat. They would have to urinate and defecate in whatever they could find. The 13-year-old allegedly weighed 50 lbs when the mother was taken into custody.

I missed her daughter testify. Was it the 13 year old?

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I missed her daughter testify. Was it the 13 year old?

It was on day 1, she was one of the 1st to testify.... current age is 19 or so, so at the time- would have been 14 or so.

Today's testimony by Dontell.... he describes the affair as being that she approached him and practically seduced him into the affair... sorry I don't buy it- it takes two to tango. Dontell flipping the tables and saying SHE did it all.. HE was scared of HER that she would shoot him bc he saw her do it? IDK It's a hard sell since at this point he has nothing to lose. His wife's not left him and he is going to be sentenced AFTER all this is over with her trial.

NOT saying she is innocent. But this is a convenient way for Dontell to serve less time and walk away smelling like a rose, playing a victim of a femme fatale.

 

[less0305]

I missed her daughter testify. Was it the 13 year old?

No, it was an older sister.

 

[less0305]

It was on day 1, she was one of the 1st to testify.... current age is 19 or so, so at the time- would have been 14 or so.

Today's testimony by Dontell.... he describes the affair as being that she approached him and practically seduced him into the affair... sorry I don't buy it- it takes two to tango. Dontell flipping the tables and saying SHE did it all.. HE was scared of HER that she would shoot him bc he saw her do it? IDK It's a hard sell since at this point he has nothing to lose. His wife's not left him and he is going to be sentenced AFTER all this is over with her trial.

NOT saying she is innocent. But this is a convenient way for Dontell to serve less time and walk away smelling like a rose, playing a victim of a femme fatale.

Yeah, I'm not believing everything he said. I do think she is the one who did the shooting. He claimed to not know she was going to do that at that moment. I sort of believe he did know she was going to shoot him. So his plea was accessory after the fact and whatever the charge was for disposing of the body. He ruined his life. He ruined his family's life. I can't wait to see if they charge her and try her for the child abuse allegations!

 

[AnyNameIWish]

. He ruined his life. He ruined his family's life.

Donnell? He's going to be fine. If this goes well for him he'll be out before his kids finish HIGH SCHOOL. He keeps his home, his wife.... he played the system so perfectly.

 

[less0305]

Donnell? He's going to be fine. If this goes well for him he'll be out before his kids finish HIGH SCHOOL. He keeps his home, his wife.... he played the system so perfectly.

You might be right. But after being associated with a murder and cover-up, his text messages about the abortion (clothes hangers, vacuum cleaners, etc.), and a stint in prison, I don't see a very respectable job for him, and children who are going to respect him very much.

 

[BrownRice]

Donnell? He's going to be fine. If this goes well for him he'll be out before his kids finish HIGH SCHOOL. He keeps his home, his wife.... he played the system so perfectly.

Ya I was surprised his wife hasn’t divorced him.

 

[BrownRice]

You might be right. But after being associated with a murder and cover-up, his text messages about the abortion (clothes hangers, vacuum cleaners, etc.), and a stint in prison, I don't see a very respectable job for him, and children who are going to respect him very much.

Agree. I don’t find any redeeming qualities for hi, , nor do I feel badly for him. At any time he could have contacted LE. Especially since he worked closely with them.

Wonder how he feels knowing Meagan sent the wife the communications re the “pregnancy “.

 

[less0305]

Agree. I don’t find any redeeming qualities for hi, , nor do I feel badly for him. At any time he could have contacted LE. Especially since he worked closely with them.

Wonder how he feels knowing Meagan sent the wife the communications re the “pregnancy “.

I don't feel sorry for him either. He should have dialed 911. He shouldn't have been cheating on his wife. I can't believe he didn't immediately realize she was behind the "anonymous" communications. I didn't believe the "pregnancy."

 

[AnyNameIWish]

I don't feel sorry for him either. He should have dialed 911. He shouldn't have been cheating on his wife. I can't believe he didn't immediately realize she was behind the "anonymous" communications. I didn't believe the "pregnancy."

What I don't buy is his whole "I'm just a victim here of this vixen who seduced me into an affair and into helping her cover up this crime and boohoo I'm so scared of her" act. To me it doesn't even matter if she was pregnant or not. Clearly it could have been a possibility.

 

[less0305]

No, I don't believe he was scared of her for one minute. I hope he gets the max sentence allowed under the plea agreement. Sometimes I hate plea agreements.