LOCAL MAN RECEIVES 40-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR KILLING GIRLFRIEND

A Spartanburg man received a 40-year prison sentence today after he was found guilty of shooting his live-in girlfriend to death.

John L. Brayboy, 23, was found guilty of murdering 24-year-old Simone Garrett at the conclusion of a three-day trial. Brayboy shot Garrett to death Aug. 8, 2005 at their Brawley Street home.

Brayboy fled the home after the shooting and turned himself into Spartanburg Public Safety hours after Garrett sustained a fatal head wound. He didn’t call 911 and he didn’t attempt to render any aid to Garrett.

During a post-arrest interview, Brayboy claimed the shooting was an accident. Solicitor Trey Gowdy and Assistant Solicitor Cindy Crick used forensic evidence to lay the groundwork for murder. Dr. David Wren, a pathologist, and Joe Powell, a trace expert with the State Law Enforcement Division, contradicted Brayboy’s version of the events with their testimony. The evidence showed the fatal shot was fired at close range.

Brayboy’s criminal record included two prior convictions for criminal domestic violence.

"It was a cold and calculated act," Solicitor Gowdy said.

Brayboy will serve every day of Circuit Judge Ned Miller's prison sentence before he is eligible for release. He is not eligible for parole.