ASSAULT AND MURDER CONVICTIONS LEAD TO 40-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR SPARTANBURG MAN

A Spartanburg man received a 40-year prison sentence today after he was convicted of shooting a local teen to death and injuring a second person.

The jury convicted William Seawright, 20, of murder and assault and battery with intent to kill in connection to the Nov. 7, 2003 death of 17-year-old Joshua Brewton and the shooting of Michael Anthony Moton, 15.

Brewton, of 675 Saxon Ave., and Moton, of 248 Edgewood St., were walking to a high school football game at Wofford College when Seawright confronted them on the corner of North Church Street and Evins Street. Seawright, of 668 Saxon Ave., brandished a handgun and shot Brewton multiple times before he chased Moton to the front porch of an East Pearl Street home. Moton knocked on the front door of 169 E. Pearl St., hoping someone would help him. Seawright cornered Moton on the porch of the home and shot him in the stomach. Seawright fled when the homeowner opened the door.

“Mr. Seawright will have plenty of time behind bars to think about his reckless disregard for human life,” Assistant Solicitor Bob Coler said.

Seawright turned himself into authorities the day after the shootings. During a police interview, he admitted to the shootings but he said they were done in self-defense. He also told investigators where they could find the murder weapon.

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