The 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced that after a four day trial, a York County jury convicted Marques Quantez Heath of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of the violent crime of murder, three counts of kidnapping, possession of a weapon during the commission of the violent crime of kidnapping, assault and battery in the first degree, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of the violent crime of attempted murder. The State asserted its right under the Code of Laws of South Carolina for a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole due to the defendant’s prior record.
The evidence presented at trial convinced the jury beyond any reasonable doubt that on February 12, 2019, Heath went into a murderous rage at his residence on Leach Road, where he threatened the occupants in the house with a hammer if they left before he searched them for items he thought has been stolen. He then assaulted his 69-year-old uncle with a hammer, breaking his arm, before he retrieved a shotgun.
Armed with the shotgun, Heath then shot Sh’Nijela Williams in the face, killing her instantly in front of Bethany Ferrar. Ms. Farrar, four months pregnant at the time, fled to a nearby bedroom in an attempt to save her life. Heath followed her, shooting in the chest and right arm. Due to the timely intervention and emergency treatment by Lt. Nicholas Schifferle of the York County Sheriff’s Office, Bethany survived and faced Heath in court.
Heath, his pockets filled with shotgun shells, then left the Leach Road residence and traveled to Farlow Street, where he shot Laquatta Wilson multiple times with his shotgun, grievously injuring her. She lost her arm as a result of her injuries but survived to testify at trial against the man who tried to take her life. Heath was apprehended later that day in Charlotte with the shotgun still in his possession as well as an abundance of ammunition.
Assistant Deputy Solicitor Chris Epting and Senior Solicitor Daniel Porter prosecuted the case. Senior Solicitor Daniel Porter had previously prosecuted Heath for a drug crime that also earned Heath a separate life sentence in late 2019. We would like to recognize the strength and bravery of the victims in this case, the work of our victim advocate and Solicitor’s Office investigation staff, and the extraordinary efforts of Lt. Joey Wallace of the York County Sheriff’s Office in investigating this case and assisting with the trial.
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