Death penalty trial opens

Defense attorney argues man made a scapegoat

By Robert Behre

The Post and Courier

Friday, April 24, 2009

Prosecutors and defense attorneys in William O. Dickerson's murder trial agreed that Gerard Roper died a horrific death on James Island three years ago.

They disagreed, however, about how involved Dickerson was in the crime.

Wade Spees
The Post and Courier

William Oliver Dickerson looks back at the courtroom Thursday, the first day of testimony in his murder trial at the Charleston County Judicial Center.

Dickerson's trial, Charleston County's first death penalty case since 2002, began Thursday with opening arguments before a 12-member jury and Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis.

Dickerson, 32, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping and sexual assault, and his defense attorneys said he was being made a scapegoat for the deeds of others.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told jurors they will hear from 30 to 40 witnesses as the trial unfolds. She described them as "a cast of characters" but said together they will paint a picture of how Dickerson killed Roper, 29, in a fit of jealousy and vengeance.

"He didn't just die. He suffered," Wilson said of Roper at the beginning of her remarks. "He suffered hour after hour after brutal hour."

Defense attorney Andrew Carroll said in his opening arguments that Dickerson is being made a scapegoat for a murder committed by others, and he said Dickerson's decision to return to Charleston from Atlanta to talk with police was an indication of his lack of guilt.

Three others have been charged in connection with the crime: Dickerson's brother Armon "Bubba" Dickerson and Rashid "Popcorn" Malik have been charged with murder, while Selena Rouse faces charges of obstructing justice and being an accessory after the fact of a felony.

They and others involved in the events that unfolded on March 7, 2006, are expected to testify in the coming days, but only William Dickerson is currently on trial.

Previous stories

Trial for 2006 killing to begin today; First death penalty case for Charleston County in 5 years, published 04/20/09

2 more arrested in '06 torture-slaying; Pair turn selves in; 4th suspect sought, published 02/28/08

Wilson and Carroll told the jury they will have to judge the honesty of the witnesses. "Are they here because they want to help?" Wilson asked. "Or will they be here to help themselves?" Wilson delivered her opening argument in a soft voice, while projecting maps and photographs on the wall to explain how prosecutors believe William Dickerson got a ride from a Fishburne Street home in downtown Charleston to Flint Street on James Island, where he and others picked up Roper and took him to a Fleming Road apartment, where he died.

She said Roper suffered more than 200 cuts, his scrotum was burned and he was sexually assaulted with a pistol. As for a motive, Wilson told jurors they will hear testimony saying that William Dickerson was convinced his girlfriend had sex with another man, whom he thought was Roper, and that someone videotaped it and put it on his cell phone.

"This is not about a drug deal gone bad. This is not about marijuana and cocaine. This is about vengeance," she said, adding that Roper never slept with Dickerson's girlfriend.

Carroll, who delivered his arguments in a louder, more dramatic fashion, said there was no fingerprint of William Dickerson's at the scene, "no science, no neutral evidence whatsoever." While some of William Dickerson's DNA was found at the scene, "I want you to pay particular attention to where it was and what it looks like and what it shows."

Carroll also said there are some significant inconsistencies among what the witnesses have said in the past.

"None of these people who were in that house ... did anything to help Gerard Roper," Carroll said. "You have been given a scapegoat to hold accountable for the sins of those others."

If the jury finds him guilty of murder, then the trial will begin a second phase to determine if he should spend his life in prison or be put to death.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.