Families to serial killer Todd Kohlhepp: Life is 'pure heartache' since quadruple murder
12/24/2018
"Fifteen years have gone by since four people were slain inside a Spartanburg County, S.C. motorcycle shop.
On Friday, family members of the victims sat face-to-face with their loved ones' killer.
Serial killer Todd Kohlhepp was inside a Spartanburg County courtroom Friday during a damages hearing for a civil case from the quadruple homicide at Superbike Motorsports on Nov. 6, 2003. The families of the victims filed a wrongful death suit against Kohlhepp following his arrest and conviction.
"I’m not afraid to stare him down. He took my son’s life and the life of three other people for whatever stupidity," Lorraine Lucas, who son Brian Lucas was one of four victims in the Superbike case, told The Greenville News after the hearing. "He gave me eye contact. I’m sure my eyes said everything that was in my heart."...
"No amount of money, no amount of time would ever heal it or ever make it go away," Brian Lucas' father, Tom Lucas, said. "Many people will tell you, I’m very glad you got closure, there’s no such thing as closure. We have some answers, we have some information, but the pure heartache will never go away."
After his initial arrest and confession to the Superbike murders, several of the victims' family members arrived at the Spartanburg County jail where Kohlhepp appeared before a magistrate. Lorraine Lucas, the mother of Brian Lucas, had remarked then that the hearing fell on the 13-year anniversary of the killings, ending an exhaustive fight to get the case solved.
She said Friday that she feels like her life has entered a new chapter now that the damages hearing in her civil case has ended.
Melissa Brackman, the widow of Ponder, lives in Arizona and was not able to attend Friday's hearing so a subsequent hearing will be held for her claims. Lorraine Lucas plans to be back in court to support Brackman then, she said.
"I did not want to go to my grave not knowing who or why. Nothing or anyone can steal the love or memories I hold in my heart," Lorraine Lucas said.
Kohlhepp remained mostly quiet during the Friday hearing. He wore white New Balance shoes, an orange jumpsuit and a tan state Department of Corrections coat. He gazed over at the sitting family members as he walked into the courtroom before he sat down....
Kohlhepp also spoke after Lorraine Lucas made remarks.
"I’m sorry but your information is incorrect," he said before Hayes, the judge, reiterated that his opportunity to speak was only if he had a question for Lorraine Lucas. "I want to let her know why it happened."
Terry Guy, the widow of Beverly Guy, said in court that the last 15 years has been filled with depression but that God has helped him carry on.
"Life has been a total hell not knowing one minute to the next what disaster life has around next corner," he said. "The worst can happen at snap of finger."
He said if Beverly Guy was still alive, she would forgive Kohlhepp....
The ability for family members to read statements in front of Kohlhepp has helped some of them to heal.
"It felt good. It was hard preparing. It was hard preparing for it but I woke up determined. My strength, I guess I’ve gotten stronger through this whole process," Lorraine Lucas said.
Katie Lucas, the brother of Brian Lucas, also gave remarks and told the court she never wants to hear Kohlhepp's name again.
"We hear that name or see that picture and it strikes a knife through our heart," Katie Lucas said. "This coward does not deserve to have one more moment in the public eye. He deserves to be forgotten by the public.""
Families to serial killer Todd Kohlhepp: Life is 'pure heartache' since quadruple murder
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