CONWAY, S.C. – The man charged with kidnapping a woman who has been missing for more than two years appeared in court for a motions hearing at 10 a.m. Monday.
Sidney Moorer and his wife Tammy Moorer face kidnapping charges in the disappearance of Heather Elvis, who was last seen in December 2013. Her car was found in Socastee.
Judge Markley Dennis heard arguments from the defense and prosecution regarding the kidnapping charge and the obstruction of justice charge.
Defense attorney Kirk Truslow told the judge that he wanted the two charges to be tried separately.
” It’s really two separate charges with two separate fact patterns, two separate lists or evidence that would have to be presented to do each one of them,” said Truslow.
Judge Dennis told the parties involved that he would read their cases thoroughly and render a decision in the coming days.
Truslow added they would waive the right to challenge statements given to Kenneth Canterbury and John Martin. We don’t know who they are, but based on Monday’s hearing, it appears they talked with Sidney during the investigation.
News13 spoke with Heather Elvis’ family after the hearing. Debbi Elvis, Heather’s mom, said she’s prayed for the return of her daughter Heather for years, and as the trial for her accused kidnapper begins, she says it won’t be any different.
“We’re just going to pray. We’re just going to fight this on our knees and just pray a lot,” said Debbi.
Debbi’s daughter, Morgan Elvis, stood by her mother’s side Monday, and the two said they weren’t sure how the trial would go in the coming weeks, but they wanted people to remember one thing:
“In the midst of all of this trial, you have to remember that she is a person, and she’s not a court case, she’s not a story on the news, she’s a human being and it’s nice to know that people remember that and they keep her picture up. So, with that being said, it is hard to look at, but it is comforting at night to know that you can sleep well knowing that other people are remembering her and she’s not just in your memories,” said Morgan.
Moorer said earlier this year that he doesn’t believe he can get a fair trial in Horry County.
His trial is scheduled to start June 20th.
Moorer, his wife and his three children live in Florida.
