Arrest Made, Manhunt Underway in Lexington Murder Case

One Arrested, One on the Run

LEXINGTON, S.C – Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has apprehended one suspect and is intensively searching for another man believed to be implicated in the callous murder of Lexington resident Caldwell Melton Motley Jr., whose lifeless body was discovered in a burning residence in the closing days of July. Edward Leroy Smith, a 39-year-old from Winnsboro, was taken into custody late Tuesday evening and he is currently being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after a court magistrate denied his bail on Wednesday morning.

Murder Accusation

“The detectives, over the course of their extensive investigation, have been able to strongly infer that Smith was responsible for the stabbing death of Mr. Motley,” asserted Lexington County Sheriff, Jay Koon. “They have also managed to establish that Smith has severely injured another man at the same location by assaulting him with an edged weapon.”

Charges Against Smith

Charges have been filed against Smith accusing him of murdering Motley Jr. through stabbing, with the charges substantiated by arrest warrants, also for attempted murder for allegedly stabbing another man who was discovered wounded in a garage that did not belong to the house but was in the same vicinity in the 200 block of Oak Ridge Lane.

Detective’s Findings

“Victim and witness testimonies, combined with tangible evidence and electronic data clearly indicate that Smith was present at the Oak Ridge Lane scene shortly before somebody dialed 911 due to the smoke erupting from the residence,” explained Sheriff Koon.

Search for Donovan Ryan Holman

Warrants have been issued against Donovan Ryan Holman, a resident of Lexington who is 33-years-old, on charges associated with this case, according to Sheriff Koon. “We prompt anyone with any kind of information about the whereabouts of Mr. Holman to contact us without hesitation, using the Midlands Crimestoppers mobile application,” urged Sheriff Koon, assuring, “You will not be required to reveal your identity and if your tip does lead to an arrest, a cash prize will be made available to you.”

As residents wait anxiously for the apprehension of the second suspect, they are comforted by the diligence of local law enforcement and the help of their community in tracking down the perpetrators.

Are You Witness to This Event?

If you have any item of relevant information or an eyewitness account of the events surrounding this case, you are strongly encouraged to submit your tip to the Midlands Crimestoppers mobile application. Your cooperation might play a key role in the solving of this crime and the subsequent delivery of justice for the victim, their family and the traumatized community.