SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES LIFE PRISON SENTENCE FOR BURGLARY CONVICTION

A Spartanburg man received a life prison sentence this afternoon for breaking into his former girlfriend’s home and assaulting her in front of a child.

James Farrow, 45, was found guilty of first-degree burglary at the conclusion of a two-day jury trial. Circuit Judge Roger Couch sentenced Farrow in accordance with the state’s two-strike/three-strike law for repeat violent offenders. Farrow is not eligible for parole.

Farrow kicked in the back door of Tammy Byrd’s Crescent Hills apartment home about 3:30 a.m. on July 4, 2006 and the couple argued briefly before he left. Farrow returned about 45 minutes later and forced the same door open again while armed with a knife. Byrd called 911 as soon as she realized Farrow returned. Farrow struck Byrd in the head and threatened to kill her in presence of the victim’s son.

A Spartanburg police officer spotted Farrow running from the apartment with the knife in his hand. The officer aided the victim. Police arrested Farrow the next day.

Farrow’s criminal record includes convictions for armed robbery, store breaking and several drug cases.

“This case is a textbook illustration of the danger of domestic violence,” Assistant Solicitor Bob Coler said. “Ms. Byrd was trying to move on with her life and the defendant refused to let her.

“James Farrow is a career criminal who received a well-deserved sentence,” Coler added.