Antwon M. Baker Jr., 28, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial.
Antwon M. Baker Jr., 28, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial. Baker will serve 80 percent of Circuit Judge Derham Cole’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release.
Baker shot Anthony Terrelle Young, 23, of Spartanburg, to death June 3, 2012 in the parking lot of Waffle House, 8121 Warren B. Abernathy Blvd. Young was shot 5 times and died as a result of a bullet that entered his back and passed through his heart. Baker fled the crime scene and was taken into custody minutes later in the City of Spartanburg.
The shooting occurred about 5 a.m. while the restaurant was open for business.
Witnesses testified the shooting occurred after an altercation between Baker and a cousin of Young in the parking lot. Baker chased Young around the parking lot and shot him. He kicked him as he lay on the ground, according to testimony. Young’s DNA was found on one of Baker’s shoes.
Deputy Solicitor Derrick Bulsa and Assistant Solicitor Lindsey Overby used law enforcement testimony and medical testimony to help argue their case.
Baker’s defense attorney argued the shooting occurred during an act of self-defense.
The jury found the defendant was provoked after he tried to withdraw from the altercation and shot Young in the heat of passion.