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Father of four admits responsibility in shooting death of Anderson cabbie
Photo by Pearce Adams
Michael Turner glances at his pregnant wife Wednesday in Anderson County General Sessions Court after pleading guilty to 2 crimes in the 2006 shooting death of a Yellow Cab driver.
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ANDERSON COUNTY — A 28-year-old father of four stood next to his pregnant wife Wednesday and pleaded guilty to crimes to which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Michael Turner of Williamston Court in Anderson pleaded guilty in Anderson County General Sessions Court to the obstruction of justice and being an accessory after the fact to a murder.
Anderson County sheriff’s deputies charged Turner in March 2007 with conspiracy to commit a crime and murder following the Sept. 25, 2006, shooting death of Major Ray Davenport, a driver for Yellow Cab Company in Anderson.
Judge Alexander Macaulay agreed to credit 617 days served by Turner, including 609 days on house arrest. The date of Turner’s eligibility for parole was not immediately known as of Wednesday.
Two other men have been charged in the case. One pleaded guilty to murder in May and faces life in prison without parole. The other man is awaiting trial.
When provided a chance to make a statement, Turner looked straight ahead and apologized to Davenport’s family, which was seated behind him.
“I know what I did was wrong,” Turner said. “My fear is no excuse. I’m sorry.”
Jennifer Turner told Macaulay that her husband misled investigators with false statements until two co-defendants were arrested.
“He was trying to protect me and the kids,” Jennifer Turner said.
Earlier, Megan Lewis, Davenport’s daughter, told Macaulay that the charges should not have been reduced against Michael Turner to secure a guilty plea.
“He murdered my daddy,” Lewis said. “He chose not to stop or tell.”
Assistant Solicitor Rame Campbell of the 10th Judicial Circuit said Turner called for a cab around 2 a.m. Sept. 25, 2006. Two other men, identified as Mike Gray and Joseph Stevenson, rode with Davenport. Turner followed. Their intent was robbery, and Turner was driving the get-away vehicle, Campbell said. But minutes into the trip, Gray shot Davenport in the back of the head, causing the cab to hit a telephone pole and Turner to run into a ditch.
Gray and Stevenson fled. Believed to be a witness, Turner made false statements and gave a false description of suspects to deputies, Campbell said.
Gray pleaded guilty in May this year to murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to court records.
So far, a trial has not been set for Stevenson, who is charged with murder, conspiracy and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to court records.
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That coward deserved no less than life in prison with no parole.
Major Ray Davenport was a hard working man just trying to do his job. God bless his family.
in response to andersonnews2008
Totally agree.
in response to andersonnews2008
Exactly....now guess who gets to support this "father's" children....Yeah, we do. In fact, we will support this "father" (I use the term father loosely as this guy is far from that and far from being a man.) while he lives out his carefree prison life. The solicitor's office should be ashamed for not going for the death penalty against all the murderers!
I would like to say this in response to everyone on here. I have personally known Michael and his family for many years. We're not talking about your good for nothin, common criminal here, the truth is he's no criminal at all but a victim himself. This is a man with no prior record, never been in any trouble in his life who in fact happens to have been a wonderful husband and father who is a High School Graduate with a college education who supported his family. I would also like to say that I am very familiar with all aspects of this case and therefore, can honestly say that you can't believe everything you see or hear in the media. Maybe you would be a coward too if your life had been threatened by these "murderers" and I do agree that these other two individuals deserve the death penalty for what they did. It was a terrible tragedy with what happened to Mr. Davenport and I have the deepest sympathy for his family but Michael was very much afraid of these individuals and just wanted to protect his family. If I had been in the same situation I wouldn't have been honest either if I knew the consequences of my honesty could have very well put mine or my family's life in danger. And what carefree life are you referring to? The one where he has to wake up every morning and go to bed every night without his family and knowing that his children are at home missing their daddy and not understanding why he isn't there with them anymore and a wife who is left with all the responsibility of raising the children alone and providing for them. This is no carefree life, this is Hell for him and his family. He is a victim in this himself and should have not even received what he did. Also, If you have no prior knowledge that somethings going to happen you can't prevent it. This is coming from someone who has known him and his family personally for a very long time as none of you have, all you know is what you've heard. You should know ALL the facts to base your opinions on before you make comments like these. Just something for you to think about.
I would also like to say that the anderson independent needs to get their facts straight. Any hey Pearce, you shouldn't let your personal feelings get in the way when writing an article, be a professional. The comment made by andersonnews2008 was wrong and unprofessional but I figure that the person who wrote this article and the person who made this comment were one in the same. So you're basically making it seems that the views you have are the views of everyone who works for the independent mail. And to waiting, Micheal DIDN'T MURDER ANYONE. Life in prison without parole or death penalty cases are usually reserved for murderers which I believe these other two deserve for what they did. So you're saying you want another innocent man killed? That makes you no better than the murderers! He already got alot more than he deserved. His current sentence is unfair and unjust and I have lost all belief and trust in our system. We have some of the most out of the way laws here in SC that I have ever seen. If this had taken place in another state where the hand of one hand of all law doesn't apply none of this would be happening right now, he would have never been charged for the things he was charged with. And this law here in our great state is not even considered a law in many other states, now does that seem fair? But I bet you will say it should be a law in all states. You have no idea how easy is for any good, law abiding person to get mixed up in something very quickly if you're not careful, you can't even do a good deed to help a person out anymore without taking a chance so you have no right to say anything until you've walked a mile in another's shoes and then you might be singing a different tune. I would also like to say that we have the absolute worst solicitor. Drawdy could have done a better job any day. She only believes in sending those to prison who truly need to be there. Maybe if we had her we wouldn't be having some of the problems we are with overcrowding in prison.
Right... carefree prison life... get a clue, Waiting. This guy isn't going to a white-collar institution of hugs and puppies; he's going to federal prison, and by the looks of him I think a lot of inmates are going to really enjoy his company.
The comment has been removed for violating the terms of our user-contributions policy and the user account has been quarantined. All further posts from this account will be manually screened until such time as a user is deemed trustworthy. The user account and all posts associated with it will be eliminated if improper comments continue."
The comment has been removed for violating the terms of our user-contributions policy and the user account has been quarantined. All further posts from this account will be manually screened until such time as a user is deemed trustworthy. The user account and all posts associated with it will be eliminated if improper comments continue."
Turner did not kill Mr. Davenport. He made a terrible mistake when he lied, but it was not to protect the real murderer, it was to protect his wife and children, his family that he loves very much. I'm very sorry for Mr. Davenport's families' loss ,but Mr. Turner was not the murderer.
The comment has been removed for violating the terms of our user-contributions policy and the user account has been quarantined. All further posts from this account will be manually screened until such time as a user is deemed trustworthy. The user account and all posts associated with it will be eliminated if improper comments continue."
I dont even know what to say on this.. I probably shouldnt even comment... But know this before you run your close minded mouths... Micheal Turner did not kill anyone.. you are sitting here goin on about how pathetic he is etc... He is a great man husband father and friend.. My deepest sympathies go out to mr davenports family. Its the hardest thing in the world to lose someone you love. And now there are 4 more children and a loving wife that are about to lose someon in their life who loves them dearly. ANd yes... anderson independent needs to get their facts straight.. cause what really happened.. surely isnt in this article.
in response to Gb33z_Angel
Thank You, you are absolutely right! And yes you should comment and I'm glad you did. I know there are alot more people out there who feel the same way we do about Michael and I wish EVERYONE who had something good to say about him would make a comment cause I want everyone to realize what a good person he is and not like what they're trying to make him out to be. I'm tired of the low lifes who don't even know him coming on here and making these awful comments about him. Thank You!
well i mean.. michael didnt kill anyone.. and even the article says he didnt.. so why treat him like he did??? Its hard to say what any of us would have done in this situation. He was scared out of his mind... He made a mistake... he lied... but he didnt kill or hurt anyone..
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