Jury convicts man of 2007 murder

Date: 11/22/2008
Jake Antonio Wilson was found guilty Friday of murdering LaToya Pendergrass.

By Schuyler Kropf

The Post and Courier

Provided

A 24-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison Friday after a jury convicted him of shooting his former girlfriend to death at a Charleston public housing complex last year.

Jake Antonio Wilson was found guilty of murdering 24-year-old LaToya Pendergrass, who was shot inside 76-G Harris St., in July 2007.

At the time of the shooting, Pendergrass and Wilson were known to argue frequently, neighbors and family members said. Police had been called to the residence numerous times, they also reported.

Policed believed Wilson went to Pendergrass' upstairs bedroom and shot her. A .32-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun was found lying on the bedroom floor.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said the sentence illustrates the severe penalties domestic violence abusers face.

"The life sentence in this case should send a strong message to batterers — family violence is violence nonetheless and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent," she said.

Pendergrass' two young children were inside the apartment at the time. When police arrived on the scene, they saw Wilson run from the home carrying them, earlier reports said.

Wilson was sentenced by Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson. The jury deliberated about two hours at the Charleston County Judicial Center after the week-long trial.

Wilson's South Carolina criminal record showed he had domestic violence charges in Charleston from 2002 and 2005. Both cases ended without a conviction.

"I am very pleased with the verdict and sentence and believe justice was served for the victim and her family today," said Assistant Solicitor Julie Gardner Cardillo, who prosecuted the case.