SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES 17-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR SHOOTING DEATH

A Spartanburg man received a 17-year prison sentence today for shooting an acquaintance to death.

Lesund Moore, 19, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter before Circuit Judge Mark Hayes. Moore shot Roshawn Lyles, 19, to death on April 1, 2006. The incident occurred at an Overbrook Circle home where the two men were temporarily living together. Spartanburg police found the victim sitting on a chair in a bedroom about 9:40 p.m. with a gunshot wound to his head. He was breathing but he was unable to respond to questions.

Lyles died a short time later at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

In the hours following the crime, investigators questioned several witnesses and they determined that Moore shot Lyles. The investigation also revealed that Moore’s mother, Renee Holbert, 38, and his brother, Denauze L. Holbert, 20, conspired to help the defendant cover up the crime. Accessory after the fact of a felony charges are still pending on the Holberts.

Moore gave three different stories during interviews with police. He initially claimed the homicide occurred during a home invasion but he changed his story to claim it was an accident.

Lyles’ family concurred with the decision to end the case with a voluntary manslaughter plea. The victim’s mother, Wanda Lyles, spoke during the court proceeding. She told Judge Hayes her son was expecting the birth of his first child when he was killed.

“I hope the Lyles family can rest easier knowing someone has been held accountable for the death of their loved one,” Assistant Solicitor Derrick Bulsa said.

Moore will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.