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Anderson man accused of robbing, killing neighbor
James William Herring
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Photo by Ken Ruinard
Anderson County Sheriff David Crenshaw speaks Saturday at a press conference at the Sheriff’s Office about a homicide that took place Saturday and the subsequent arrest of James William Herring, 23, of Anderson.
3317 Keys St. in Anderson
David Rogers/Special to the Independent-Mail
Anderson County authorities investigate the scene of what is being characterized as a deadly robbery Saturday morning. Neighbors called law enforcement after discovering a body at 3317 Keys St. in Anderson, which was vacant and for sale.
ANDERSON — An Anderson man charged in connection with the robbery and brutal killing of his neighbor had only one question for a judge Saturday evening.
“How long do I have to stay in here?” James William Herring asked the magistrate via teleconference.
The judge’s response was to suggest that Herring employ an attorney.
Herring, 23, was arrested around noon Saturday, less than five hours after a dead body was discovered behind a vacant house in Homeland Park. Anderson County Sheriff David Crenshaw said deputies were dispatched to 3317 Keys St. around 7:30 a.m. after a neighbor found the body of 49-year-old James Clayton “Scooter” Kelley in the backyard of the for-sale house.
According to arrest warrants, Herring killed Kelley with blunt object during the commission of a robbery. Authorities said the incident happened around midnight.
Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said Kelley died as the result of a head injury. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning. The sheriff said the case is believed to be an isolated incident. The two men were friends and neighbors, Crenshaw said. Kelley resided at 3312 Berry Lane, and Herring lived at 3306 Berry Lane.
The Keys Street house where Kelley’s body was found is only a block from his home, which is directly behind his mother’s residence.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family, and we hope the ability to bring this case to a conclusion will offer some means of closure for Mr. Kelley’s friends and relatives,” Crenshaw said during a news conference.
Herring has been charged with murder and armed robbery. He is in custody at the Anderson County Detention Center and was denied bond during a hearing Saturday evening.
If convicted, Herring could face 10 to 30 years in prison for armed robbery and a mandatory 30 years in prison for murder, according to the magistrate.
The homicide case is the sixth in the past two weeks in Anderson County. But despite Saturday’s events, Crenshaw said crime in Homeland Park has decreased significantly as a result of efforts by his office and community groups.
“We’re far from having it cleaned up, but we’re having an impact,” he said.
James Kelley was married to Laura Kelley and had at least two children, officials said. The family is at his mother’s home at 3312 Berry Lane. Funeral arrangements will be announced by The McDougald Funeral Home in Anderson.
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Posted by altimachic6 on May 3, 2008 at 2:16 p.m.
This is scarey. I live in this community and now I wonder what is doing on outside my door at night while I am sleeping. No where is safe now.
Posted by Gb33z_Angel on May 3, 2008 at 3:24 p.m.
oh wow... my dads friend lives like a few houses up
Posted by wyatt1sc on May 3, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.
These kinds of realities are becoming more commonplace in HOMELAND Park. More drug activity, more gangs, more hookers and more random crime.
It is VITAL that the community participates in neighborhood watch, organizes clean-up and drug-watch programs, and works closely with law enforcement to slow the growth before it gets worse.
Attend the next HPTF meeting at the HP Fire Dept. on May 8th at 6:00 pm to speak to local law representatives about your concerns.
Posted by redrider2k5 on May 3, 2008 at 5:28 p.m.
the accused man is awaiting larceny & burglary charges that took place in late 2007.now has robbery & murder charges.he doesn't deserve to ever
see the light of day again.lock him up & destroy the key.
Posted by pink_rfc on May 3, 2008 at 5:55 p.m.
Does anyone know if this guy goes by Jamie? I think I may have went to school with him...scary.
Posted by altimachic6 on May 3, 2008 at 8:09 p.m.
This comment was removed by site staff. The poster was notified at the email they used to register at Independentmail.com, and they were given the chance to amend their comment to comply with our user contributions policy.
Posted by pink_rfc on May 3, 2008 at 11:50 p.m.
Now that they posted his pic, I do know him. He worked at Fred's in Watson Village for a while. I kinda knew him from when we were younger, but he freaked me out whenever I saw him recently. He would come out of nowhere trying to talk to me...almost like he was following me around the store. Now I'm really freaked out knowing that he killed someone.
Posted by concernedcitizen75 on May 4, 2008 at 8:12 a.m.
All you hear about is Murders going on now in Anderson or someone getting Robbed. Crenshaw talks about crime is Down? Doesn't seem that way to me. Our Murder Rate has increased drastically in the last couple of years.
Posted by Gb33z_Angel on May 4, 2008 at 8:41 a.m.
how could anyone say that the crime rate is down... does crenshaw live in a cave.... does he not listen to his police radio.. or read the paper even... all you read about is people getting robbed.. car theft.. gang activity.. now bodies showing up in yards with bullets in their heads.. Which by the way my heart does go out to the family.. this is another sad tragedy that we must face these days in this small town..
Posted by JC on May 4, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
I bet Meth/crack had a part in this murder just as it has in 90% of all the other murders in Anderson.
Posted by slycin56 on May 4, 2008 at 11:35 a.m.
I've been in Anderson for 2 yrs now and what I see here is the perfect mix of components for high crime - undereducation, underemployment & very lax gun laws. Add drugs to the mix, and you've got an explosive situation.
The Sheriff/Police can only do so much to prevent crime. They are a *reactive* response to crime, and can't possibly be everywhere, all the time.
To prevent crime takes a *proactive* stance. Neighborhood Watch programs, education, tougher sentencing for violent & repeat offenders; things like this are needed to prevent crime in the first place. Better employment opportunities with better pay would certainly help, too.
Until the community gets involved in helping to deter crime, it doesn't have the right to sit back and criticize law enforcement.
Posted by cobrakr101 on May 4, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.
If everybody had a six shooter on there side, this wouldn't be happening.
Posted by applepie on May 4, 2008 at 5:09 p.m.
Oh, sure. Putting guns into the hands of hot-headed, desperate people will make all the difference.
Posted by mj1938 on May 4, 2008 at 5:57 p.m.
Check out how much the crime rate dropped in Kennesaw, Ga. when the town passed an ordinance that each household was required to keep a gun in the house. Guns are not the problem; people are the problem. We raised 4 children in a home equipped with loaded guns -- all legal, registered guns and those with access all had licenses. We taught gun safety and responsibility from day one. No one should own a gun except by the state and federal laws, and with the good sense to be responsible with the ownership of a gun. Law abiding citizens should be able to protect their familes and their home when necessary. As one of you put it, the law can't be everywhere all the time.
Posted by slycin56 on May 4, 2008 at 6:46 p.m.
Don't get me wrong - I'm pro gun ownership, but it still won't help in all situations. This guy wasn't killed on his property, and he wasn't killed by a gun.
Posted by pink_rfc on May 4, 2008 at 6:49 p.m.
The problem with this situation is that the 2 men were friends and neighbors. The victim probably never expected this to happen, or saw the other man as a "threat." How many of you expect to get robbed and killed by your neighbors? I know all my neighbors and would never think of something like this happening. Then again, I don't live in Homeland Park...
Posted by tdr1945 on May 4, 2008 at 8:59 p.m.
Yeah, guns are the problem when this guy wasn't killed with a gun. Unless he hit him in the head with one.
Posted by JP on May 4, 2008 at 11:13 p.m.
Yea. Guns are the problem. The dead guy didn't have one! That's the only problem.
Posted by mj1938 on May 4, 2008 at 11:17 p.m.
in response to tdr1945
A gun is not at fault for being in the wrong hand. A car can be lethal. A knife can be lethal. A karate chop can be lethal. All of these things are used by people AND PEOPLE KILL. Saying a gun or any other weapon makes a person a criminal is like saying that being a woman makes her a prostitute. It is way past time for PEOPLE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for their actions instead of playing the blame-game. The actions of one person is the cause of another person being dead, regardless of how it was done. I am so sorry for the families of these two men and pray that God will give them comfort as they cope with this tragedy.
Posted by hpgurl on May 4, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
i live right behind there on hillman drive. that is way toooo close to home
Posted by shellbell1955 on May 4, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.
in response to pink_rfc
"Then again, I don't live in Homeland Park..." ....What is that comment supposed to mean. I do live in 'Homeland Park',,, Does that make me a bad person? or my neighbor a bad person? Crime is all over Anderson, not just in Homeland Park. I don't believe that because these two guys lived in Homeland Park had anything to do with one of them dying. The issue here is,,,'someone' lost thier life, and whatever the reason was, it was uncalled for. I am praying for both of the famly's, that God would give them peace. To lose a loved one like that has to be awful, but also to be the 'mother, father, or a family member of the one who committed the crime, has to be hard to deal with too. So,,,Pink,,why instead of trying to put someone in a 'catagory',,,why don't you say a prayer for peace everywhere,,,not just in "Homeland Park"
Posted by x0iLOVEhim on May 5, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.
I was told that the reason he was killed was over prescription drugs...
Posted by x0iLOVEhim on May 5, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.
I was told that the reason he was killed was over prescription drugs...
Posted by u235 on May 5, 2008 at 4:28 a.m.
Let me answer this quote “How long do I have to stay in here?” James William Herring asked the magistrate via teleconference.
A LONG damm time.....
Posted by justin1966 on May 5, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.
He was killed over some prescription drugs which is just ridiculous! Scooter was a good Christian man who was very involved in his church. I wish this would have never happened because we are all still in shock. I know personally that I am going to miss him at our church. I am just praying for comfort for all of his family, which is my extended family. All we know is that God is always in control. I am praying for the guy who done this. Of course it is natural to be mad at him, but God loves him too. I pray that God will open his eyes to the wrong that he has done.
Please, everyone, just continue to pray for all who are involved in this awful tragedy.
Posted by jim on May 5, 2008 at 11:26 a.m.
in response to shellbell1955
I think the fact that they lived in Homeland Park DID play a role in this murder. Of course the guy did not become a murderer because he lived there, but the fact that those that do live in Homeland Park are most likely there becuase they require low-income housing, are most likely to have lost their jobs, and in turn are most likely to turn to drugs; all possible reasons for Anderson's increase in violent crimes, as mentioned by a previous poster. Facts are facts, but of course this does not apply to everyone that lives in Homeland Park. I reiterate, Homeland Park does not make a man a criminal, but the criminals seem to have made Homeland Park what it is today.
Posted by pink_rfc on May 5, 2008 at 5:49 p.m.
Shellbell, I am not trying to put everyone who lives in Homeland Park into a category, but like jim said in the previous post, "facts are facts" and Homeland Park has a high crime rate. I know several people who live in Homeland Park, and they are not criminals...I'm not saying that everyone who lives there is "bad" like you made it sound. Sorry if it came across that way. I just know that I don't drive through there alone because it's gotten so bad on that part of town.
Posted by angelmomof3 on May 5, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.
I am sorry, but this had nothing to do with where these men lived. Homeland Park is not the only area with Low-income Housing. As a matter of fact, there are more Low-income Apartments on the richer side of town than there are in Homeland Park. And the comment about the jobs, I am sorry but you are wrong for saying that, half of Anderson is jobless right now due to the economy. My Husband and Myself both lost our jobs last year. Stop and think now, when a plant or a business shuts down, there are Plant Managers, and Supervisors and other big wigs that lose their jobs too, and where do they live, on the richer side of Anderson. Thanks to the Good Lord above and our will to succeed, My husband found a job the week his shop shut down and I went back to school and I am now working again too. I know alot of you that have been talking about Homeland Park and this story have said not all people in Homeland Park are bad, well that goes for all communities. There are Rotten Apples in every neighbor hood. And as far as the Drug issue in Homeland Park, stop and think if the people down here don't have jobs where are they getting the Drugs? See the thing is yes Homeland Park has issues, but your neighbor hood does too, people just cover up the issues and crime in other places by pointing fingers at places like Homeland Park. This is the first time in a while that something like this has happened in Homeland Park. There have been six homocides in Anderson this year already so where were the other FIVE? Now I don't mean to come off rude, but people need to stop pointing fingers and start helping others every where. Below you will find information that will be helpful to all of you. And for those of you that feel that you can't attend this meeting because you don't live in Homeland Park, sorry but you are wrong. If you have a issue with Homeland Park attend the meeting and voice your opinion. Keep in mind Homeland Park was once better than it is today, so if you think your neighbor hood is so great, it could change over night too. Attend the meetings and help to stop other problems from forming and help to keep your neighbor hood nice too. Society in general has to take the blame for todays problems. People pushed until God and Prayer was taken out of the schools, People pushed until laws have been made to stop you from spanking your child, People push and push to get what they want and then they complain and complain about the end results. Go to the search bar on the Anderson Independent page and put in Homeland Park. Look at all the good things this community does before you start bashing it for one thing.
Stop just talking about the problems and Do something about them.
Homeland Park Community Task Force will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday May the 8th at the Homeland Park Volunteer Fire Department located at 3299 S. Main St. in Anderson.
Posted by tdr1945 on May 5, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.
Homeland Park used to be a very nice neighborhood when I was a teenager in the 60's. Then again so were most millhills. Now for the most part all are drug infested
Posted by wyatt1sc on May 6, 2008 at 12:15 p.m.
Thanks for the promo about the MONTHLY meetings!
At each & every meeting, we have individuals from the ACSD who can answer questions face-to-face on your terms. Each and every one of the detectives/officers we've had always have some tid-bit of information which we use in our small but determined fight against crime, drugs and filth. There is no need to make an unnecessary call to the Sheriff's office or tie up a patrolperson just to ask how to start a Home Watch program, or where can you find info about recent crime. The participants are eager to answer questions, or if they do not know will TRY hard to get that answer to you. I truly enjoy the cooperation we have gotten from them, and would deeply miss their participation if it was taken away.
As for the "crime" in Homeland Park. As of late, there is a spike in criminal activities here. More breaking & enterings, more copper thefts ( thats EVERYWHERE!) more car chases end here, more robberies. It has NOTHING to do with the Sheriff or his patrols, but rather the higher level of poverty sticken people stuck on this side of town. Homes ARE affordable ( and section 8 prevalent) so naturally the less than moral types congregate around that. In case you have been in a cave like Osams Bin Laden, the economy is in terrible shape and people will do just about anything to survive, even steal copper from churches.
It is important for the COMMUNITY to be pro-active; to alert police & Sheriff's officers of suspect activities ( car traffic at all hours, unseemly types hanging around vacant homes, lurkers looking for copper) and to be seen & heard. It's well past time for honest working folks to take back the very communities which they reside. Just running away, or diverting resources to more affluent areas will not deter crime, but make it MORE acceptable. This is NOT the wild-wild west, and the bandidos cannot be let in control of the town.
***continued on next post***
Posted by wyatt1sc on May 6, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.
If you think it is easy or without consequences, think again. We have had our share of insults, harassment and dislike from the unsavory types we have succeeded in running off from Homeland Park. Just look at commentary on this thread....more insults than praise for the communities efforts recently. Negativity seems to be the norm rather than participating in making change. A sad comment of society, and the main reason the criminals thrive so well. If half of the posters here would be ACTIVELY participating in crime watch/ prevention and neighborhood clean-up efforts, then you'd clearly see the impact you make, and not just wah-wah about Homeland Park being a desloate place to live. Can guarantee soon this level of crime will be more wide-spread as the economy shrinks more, gas & food get more expensive, and summertime hoodlums roam the streets looking for the empty homes of working families filled with plasma's, computers and easy targets of opportunity.
And While we may not be on some dope dealer's Christmas card list, I say Oh well, send me one from PRISON!!
So with the bad comes the good.
Posted by rbbugg24 on May 6, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.
in response to concernedcitizen75
Really? You must be a skipper fan to post something like this. Go back to 1996 and start from July that year and continue through Dec and let's see if the murders in Taylors administration don't outnumber the ones in Crenshaws administration. At least we have a Sherrif now that does his job, not other people's wives...
Posted by rbbugg24 on May 6, 2008 at 2:18 p.m.
in response to Gb33z_Angel
skipper fan....
Posted by rbbugg24 on May 6, 2008 at 2:21 p.m.
in response to jim
Uh...Jim, that just aint right.
Posted by rbbugg24 on May 6, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
Sorry Nick....got ahead of my self. I have suggested removal of my own comment. Sorry..again.
Posted by tdr1945 on May 6, 2008 at 9:04 p.m.
If everything was so bad people could turn off cell phones and cable. Also I could find somewhere to eat on Sat. night if it was that bad. People are stealing ands killing to support their drug habit, not to pay bills or to eat.
Posted by wyatt1sc on May 7, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
in response to rbbugg24
Have to concur ( well maybe not with who's doing who's wife part....) that service and response times are MUCH better now under Crenshaw. With Taylor's administration, we waited over 24 hours ( on the clock, almost exactly 24 hours later) for a call about a shooting in our backyard. Well by then, all was well and the officer wasted his time coming.
Needless to say, we are delighted in the current administration and the officers on partol.
Crenshaw gets our votes in June.
Posted by rbbugg24 on May 7, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
in response to wyatt1sc
Thank you Wyattsc. No, I shouldn't have said that about the "wives". I just get a little passionate about my opinion sometimes. I think Crenshaw has done very well too. Now that he's took this past 4 years to clean up the prior admin's mess, I think we can expect even better things from him and his officers in the coming 4 years. And as all you can see, DAVID CRENSHAW HAS MY VOTE AS WELL!!!
Posted by tdr1945 on May 7, 2008 at 8:39 p.m.
To mj38
I thought I was being faceious. A gun did not even kill this man. I am a firm believer in people kill people not guns.
Posted by purple_freedom on May 7, 2008 at 10:41 p.m.
in response to redrider2k5
This comment was removed by site staff. The poster was notified at the email they used to register at Independentmail.com, and they were given the chance to amend their comment to comply with our user contributions policy.
Posted by purple_freedom on May 7, 2008 at 10:49 p.m.
in response to x0iLOVEhim
This comment was removed by site staff. The poster was notified at the email they used to register at Independentmail.com, and they were given the chance to amend their comment to comply with our user contributions policy.
Posted by JESSICA on May 7, 2008 at 11:33 p.m.
HE HAS NO EMOTIONS ABOUT THIS SITUATION, WELL HONESTLY I DONT KNOW IF HE DID IT OR NOT, BUT "IF" HE DID AND HAD A NERVE TO ASK THA JUDGE A QUESTION LIKE THAT, I THINK HE SHOULD GET THE BOOK THROWED AT HIM, BUT I MAYBE WRONG, SO IM NOT POINTING FINGERS.
Posted by purple_freedom on May 8, 2008 at 8:57 a.m.
in response to JESSICA
This comment was removed by site staff. The poster was notified at the email they used to register at Independentmail.com, and they were given the chance to amend their comment to comply with our user contributions policy.
Posted by tdr1945 on May 8, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.
He must have quit giving them to him like everyone wanted. He got angry and killed him.
Posted by purple_freedom on May 8, 2008 at 12:47 p.m.
no they were drinking and doing other hard drugs because they were seen togeather buying beer and pills,beer,and other drugs don't mix I know this is just how people feels on these comments but people needs to clean thier own door steps before cleaning other peoples off! Know every thing before assumming anything I don't know it all just what i have seen and know.
Posted by tdr1945 on May 8, 2008 at 3:48 p.m.
If we all knew anything about it we probably wouldn't be saying anything. I just know I couldn't blame the victim because he supposedly gave someone drugs.
Posted by purple_freedom on May 14, 2008 at 11:21 p.m.
in response to tdr1945
no u prouble would not blame the victim. But why not he was there if he was such a christain then why was he were he was and why was he not at home like a good church going person would be? Everyone is sugar coating things for scooter but if they knew some or any of the events in these two mens day as bestfriends that they are or were. Jammie is sorry for what happen he would like to let scooters family know this at the time he was in front of the judge he was still messed up on the stuff that they all were taken or doing. I'm sorry also for what happen but we were not there so how do we know the events that took place Jammie is the only one that knows who was there and is not saying he is scared also and feels safier in jail! He has a four year old daughter at home that could tell u different of who her daddy is Yes everyone out of Jammie's house feels sorry for scooter's family and wish none of this had ever happen they all were good friends on visit they both weep to each other over this sad tragedy.I know their is no closer for both of the family's but haven hatread to Jammie's family will not change what has happen.All any one can do is pray for what God see's fit to be done everyone says justest but what is that for real.We don't know God was there and he should be the one to short this tragady out.
Posted by itsme2008 on May 15, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.
I don't know who you are (poster above me) but if you want to be neutral, you should quit justifying what happened by saying Scooter was such a bad person. No one deserves what happened to him. The family does not hate Jamie's family, nor do we blame them. We lost someone that we loved dearly. Regardless of what your version of christian is, He was very active in the church community, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a son, a cousin, an uncle. He was loved, and he loved his family. He will be missed lots!
Posted by purple_freedom on May 15, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.
in response to itsme2008
look i'm not in a bashing remarks to anyone i loved scotter as a friend also and regaurd less if he was so active in church does not change who he was at home I just don't think it is write to say something about one and not the other i have known scotter for 15years and Jammie for 7years I have party with scotter and also took him to work at B&B Pawn Shop so I think I know them pretty well.
Posted by itsme2008 on May 16, 2008 at 11:14 a.m.
in response to purple_freedom
I just wanted to request that you stop talking about Scooter like that, he isn't here anymore to defend himself. He doesn't deserve it.
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