New Details Emerge in Smith’s Murder Charge

Arrest in Lexington County Murder Investigation

Lexington County, SC – This week, a Winnsboro man found himself facing murder charges for his alleged involvement in a gruesome stabbing case that left a man dead and another gravely injured. The accused, Edward Leroy Smith, 39, was arrested and charged on August 13, 2024, the Lexington County Sheriff’s office confirms.

The deadly incident occurred on July 20, 2024, in a residential property along Oak Ridge Lane in Lexington County. Firefighters, responding to a 911 call about a burning house, found the lifeless body of one Caldwell Melton Motley, Jr. within the gutted residence. It soon became apparent to the authorities that Motley had been a victim of a stabbing and not the fire.

Another Victim Discovered

In a chilling discovery, yet another man was found in a separate garage-type outbuilding of the property sporting severe injuries. After being attended to by the emergency responders, the unidentified man was immediately transported for medical care.

“Based on our investigations, detectives established that Smith was the one who stabbed Motley to death and landed the second man in a hospital bed,” revealed Lexington Sheriff Jay Coon. “Not only did he stab the deceased, but Smith also attacked the surviving victim with an edged object.”

Connecting Smith to the Scene

Through a detailed analysis of victim and witness statements, electronic data, and physical evidence, investigators managed to place Smith at the crime scene shortly before the first 911 call was made about the fire. This connection links Smith directly to the events that unfolded that fateful day.

After his arrest on August 13, Smith was promptly taken to the Lexington County Detention Center. The following day at a bond hearing, a magistrate ruled that Smith will remain in law enforcement custody—denying him the possibility of securing his freedom through bail.

About Edward Leroy Smith

Information gleaned from local sources indicates that Smith, now a murder suspect, used to own a towing company—Smith’s Towing—based in Winnsboro. However, in recent times, he was thought to have been living in the Blythewood area.

This disturbing crime has undoubtedly unsettled the otherwise peaceful Blythewood and Fairfield County communities. As the case continues unraveling, more details about Smith’s arrest and looming court proceedings will be released.

This story was last updated on August 14, 2024.