CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A man from Murrells Inlet was sentenced to 15 years after he pleaded guilty to a shooting and robbery that occurred at a Conway convenience store in 2015.
Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson announced Tuesday Michael Stenger, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and two counts of armed robbery in connection with the incident on April 22, 2015, at the Scotchman convenience store on S.C. 544 near Conway.
The press release from Assistant Solicitor Joshua Holford says a jury had not been selected in the case, but potential jurors were present at the courthouse ready to hear the case if the suspect had not pleaded guilty.
The victim was shot twice, including once in the face, and left for dead inside the store during the robbery. The victim was hit just under his right eye with the bullet coming out under his left jaw while another shot went in his right side, hitting his liver and spine before coming out the left side of his back.
The victim told the judge he had forgiven Stenger for the shooting and wanted him to get help and not spend the rest of his life in prison, Holford said in the release.
Judge Larry Hyman sentenced Stenger to 15 years in prison on each charge but ordered the sentences to run concurrently. Each charge is classified as a “violent,” “most serious,” and “no-parole” offense.