SPARTANBURG WOMAN RECEIVES 30-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR BRUTAL WESTSIDE ATTACK

A Spartanburg woman received a 30-year prison sentence tonight after a jury determined that she confined an elderly man against his will and took his credit cards.

Tammy Renee Jones, 32, of 117 White Oak Road, was found guilty of kidnapping and strong-arm robbery for the Feb. 14, 2002 attack on Boyd Gilliam, 87. The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching the verdict about 8 p.m. Circuit Judge Derham Cole issued the sentence.

Gilliam, who had a history of heart problems, died of a stress-induced heart attack. His legs and feet were bound when Spartanburg Public Safety officers found him in his west-side home. He also had a plastic bag over his head.

Jones’ credit cards and his Toyota Corolla were taken during the robbery. Police found the car several blocks from Gilliam’s house.

Jones will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before she is eligible for release.

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