A Berkeley County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in the shooting deaths of two young women whose bodies were found in the Francis Marion National Forest.
Area media outlets report that 26-year-old Arthur Ray Chavis of Cordesville had been charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of 18-year-old Dana Woods and 22-year-old June Guerry in August of 2012.
Woods, who worked part time for Papa John’s Pizza, was a student at Trident Technical College, where she was studying to become a paralegal.
Guerry, who worked at a nearby Walmart, was the mother of a young girl.
Both women were shot in the head after being tricked to come to the woods to help search for a missing wallet, officials have said.
Chavis pleaded guilty in court in Moncks Corner on Tuesday to lesser counts including voluntary manslaughter, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Wood’s body was found partially clothed in a shallow hole not far from the scene. Guerry’s body was dumped about mile from her home.During the hearing Woods’ mother, Dana Hill, addressed Chavis and asked “Why did you pick these girls?” “You knew we were searching for Dana and June but you said nothing.”
Hill continued, “You didn’t just ruin your own lives you have scarred the hearts of parent’s, grandparent’s, siblings and friends. You managed to make a community feel unsafe in their own backyards.”Chavis’ attorney said his client had cooperated and had no idea Caleb was going to shoot June and Dana.Last year Caleb Brad Matlock of Summerville, who prosecutors say was the triggerman, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
