Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008

Death penalty sought in Atlantic Beach shooting

The man accused in the shooting death of an Atlantic Beach pawn shop owner in July will face the death penalty when his case comes to trial, according to 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Greg Hembree.

Jeffrey Ray Jennings, 27, of North Myrtle Beach is charged with murder in the July 25 death of Thomas Lane Holcombe. Jennings is also facing armed robbery charges.

Holcombe, 37, a co-owner of Thee Pawn Shoppe on U.S. 17 in Atlantic Beach, was found by a customer after he had been shot in the head. His death was mourned by Atlantic Beach residents, who said he was a good influence on area children and contributed to the community.

Hembree said he cannot comment on the evidence in a pending case, which would include the factors that lead to his decision to seek the death penalty. S.C. law requires an "aggravating circumstance" to be present in death-penalty cases, one example of which is that the murder was committed during an armed robbery.

Hembree said he also considers a defendant's record and the quality of the evidence in the case, as well as other intangible factors.

"You must look at things that don't fall into a category, but make the case particularly egregious," Hembree said.

Hembree filed notice of the death-penalty decision Wednesday. Holcombe's family was informed of the decision, Hembree said, but he did not ask them to participate in making it.

"It's neither their decision, nor their burden," Hembree said.

Brenna Renee Jennings, 29, is charged with accessory to a felony after the crime. Police were able to identify the couple from witness accounts, as well as by piecing together surveillance tapes from neighboring stores.

The couple were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Washington County, Tenn., and they agreed to be returned to Horry County to face charges in Holcombe's death.

They also are wanted in relation to the shooting death of Deran Jamison, a 31-year-old Greenville man, who was killed July 23.