LAURINBURG — During the March 29, 2022 session of Scotland County Criminal Superior Court, defendant Desmond Jakeem Bethea was convicted of three counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with deadly weapon on government official, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and carrying concealed handgun.
The state was represented by Mrs. Jamie Adams and Mr. Brian Chapman.
During the trial, the state presented evidence that the Laurinburg Police Department responded to a call for shots fired at the Laurinburg Food Mart. The defendant shot a civilian and opened fire on law enforcement while they were securing the crime scene. The Honorable Stephan Futrell presided over the case and ultimately sentenced defendant to a minimum term of 520 months to a maximum term of 672 months in the Department of Corrections.
In response to the verdict, District Attorney Reece Saunders said, “Gun violence in Scotland County happens all too frequently. Multiple individuals could have been seriously injured or killed as a result of the defendant’s actions. A jury of the defendant’s peers expressed the community’s sentiment about senseless gun violence. It needs to stop and those that participate in such activity will be aggressively prosecuted. ”
