Suspect denies Mount Pleasant killing; police calm residents

Date: 12/29/2007

By Nadine Parks

The Post and Courier

Saturday, December 29, 2007

MOUNT PLEASANT — As Judy Farley snuggled up on the couch reading an Ann Rule murder book, a shocking, real-life homicide case was unfolding right next door.

Farley, like other residents of the Charleston National community off U.S. Highway 17 north, was on edge after learning that 73-year-old Anthony "Tony" Chiaramonte was found Christmas Day in his Heathland Way home, dead from a blow to the head.

Information police released Friday helped to ease residents' worries somewhat. The victim knew his attacker and had let him inside, police said.

"The fact that it's not some serial killer on the loose makes a big difference," said Farley's husband, Bill Farley.

The fingerprints of Lawrence H. Pinckney, 38, of Harris Street in Charleston, were found at the crime scene, an arrest warrant affidavit said. Pinckney on Friday declared that he was not guilty after Charleston County Magistrate Mary Holmes read the murder charge against him in bond court. Pinckney, a convicted felon, will later go before a circuit court judge for a bond hearing.

Pinckney admitted to Holmes that he was with Chiaramonte, but he said the elderly man had dropped him off downtown. The affidavit said Chiaramonte died sometime between Sunday and Tuesday, and that Pinckney provided information to police that indicates he was present during the window of time when Chiaramonte was assaulted.

"He was alive when he left me," Pinckney told the judge Friday. "I didn't do anything to that man."

More than 50 Charleston National residents packed themselves into the community's country club lounge Friday night for a meeting with police and 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson. Police said they had an early fix on a suspect and that the community was never in danger.

"This was not somebody riding through the neighborhood stalking homes," Police Chief Harry Sewell said. "Rest assured, you are safe."

A preliminary investigation indicates that Pinckney and Chiaramonte had recently become acquainted, said police Sgt. Steve Meadows.

"From what we can gather, he (Pinckney) was invited into the home," Meadows said.

It was important information for neighbors, said Mike McCurdy, president of the community's homeowners association.

"People are thinking, 'It can happen to any of us,' " McCurdy said. "But it's not like we have a serial killer running the neighborhood."

Authorities didn't release any further details about the killing.

"There are lots of things being tested by SLED, and we want to see the results," the solicitor said.

Wilson, who lives in Mount Pleasant, said that if Pinckney requests a preliminary hearing, it would be held in a few weeks and reveal more about what the police chief called a complicated case. A trial will be held in about a year, Wilson said.

Meanwhile, Sewell said, police are working the case around the clock to "tie strings" and prepare for prosecution.

Judy Farley said she is glad an arrest was made, but that it doesn't take away from the gruesome, Christmas Day discovery.

"I'm still not comfortable," she said. "Of all places, right next door."

Reach Nadine Parks at nparks@postandcourier.comor 937-5573.

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