Photo Submitted
James Thomas Thompson received a 15-year prison sentence and 5 years of probation Thursday after he admitted to beating an acquaintance to death at a camp site near Duncan.
James Thomas Thompson, 44, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the death of Randy S. Millwood, 54. Circuit Judge Mark Hayes issued a 30-year prison sentence that was suspended to the service of 15 years and 5 years of probation.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies found the body on May 18, 2012 at a camp site in a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 290 and I-85. The body was found under two blankets and it had been decomposed with a severely fractured skull. Millwood was likely struck in the head with a blunt object.
Deputies developed Thompson as a suspect after talking with a witness who lived at the camp site where the body was discovered. Other witnesses reported seeing Thompson ride a bike that belonged to Millwood after the murder.
Thompson was jailed on a murder charge a day after the body was found. Millwood’s family agreed with the decision to plead the case to voluntary manslaughter.
“I hope Randy’s family can rest easier knowing someone has been held accountable for this heinous crime,” Assistant Solicitor Timi Poulos said.
The case was also complicated by the fact it involved several transient witnesses who would have been difficult to locate if the case had gone to trial, Poulos said.
Thompson’s prior criminal record dates back to 1989 with multiple convictions for assault and drug offenses. He will serve at least 80 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.