LOCAL TEEN RECEIVES 30-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND MURDER CONVICTIONS

A Spartanburg teen received a 30-year prison sentence today after he admitted to shooting a man to death and robbing a local business in two unrelated crimes.

Christopher Wayne Jackson, 17, pled guilty to murder and armed robbery in a hearing before Circuit Judge Larry Patterson. Jackson was sentenced without any recommendations from prosecutors.

The homicide occurred Dec. 18, 2001. Police found the body of Charles Douglas Hawes, 39, of Christy Court, Spartanburg, inside of a wrecked Mazda minivan at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Henry Street. Hawes sustained a gunshot wound to his throat. Spartanburg Public Safety investigators filed the murder charge nine days after the killing.

During their investigation into the murder, Public Safety investigators discovered that Jackson was one of three people suspected of robbing City Pawn & Loan, of 761 John B. White Sr. Blvd., on Nov. 28, 2001. The bandits, who were armed with pistols, used a tire iron to break the glass top of a display case and take four guns.

After his arrest on the murder charge, Jackson confessed his role in both crimes.

An armed robbery charge is still pending against Horace A. Johnson, 19, of Spartanburg. The third co-defendant, Maurice A. Wilson, 18, of Spartanburg, received a 15-year prison sentence on Dec. 18, 2002.

Jackson will have to serve every day of the prison sentence.

“Chris Jackson is young, fearless and cold as ice,” Assistant Solicitor Bob Coler said. “Spartanburg is a safer place with him behind bars.”

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892 or 596-3862.