On January 29, Marty Baggett of Hemingway stood before Third Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman and pleaded to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. In 2007, Baggett was charged with kidnapping and murder in connection with the death of Hemingway resident Jean Turner. Baggett based his plea upon North Carolina verses Alford, stating he was blacking out and didn’t remember much of the event.
Assistant Solicitor Kim Barr was prepared to offer Baggett the guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum five-year prison term. “With a murder charge, you have to prove what is malice forethought, which means you have to prove the person intended to kill the victim and at the time of the killing he had malice or ill will in his heart,” said the prosecutor in an earlier interview. “The facts of the case are not such that we can prove those elements.” According to a MUSC Autopsy Report, Turner died of skull fractures due to blunt trauma to the head (probable truck vs. pedestrian) but the manner of death was undetermined as to whether it was a homicide or accident, pending further investigation.
According to Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office incident reports dating March 8, 2007, while driving on Claire Road in Hemingway, a witness claims to have come upon Baggett standing over a woman’s body. The witness first questioned Baggett if he had called 911 but when he said no the witness left and notified law enforcement.
Baggett initially claimed Turner, 51, at the time, was driving his truck when she fell out of the driver side. Baggett said he stopped the truck and got out to try and pick up the woman several times but was unsuccessful. Physical evidence shows that the undercarriage on the passenger side of the truck tested positive for blood. Baggett admits to being excessively drunk on the day the incident occurred. In addition, toxicology reports stated Turner’s blood alcohol levels were found to be .387 or five times the legal limit.
During the hearing, family members of the victim spoke to Judge Newman. Each argued that a plea bargain is not fair to the family and believed the evidence presented is enough to go to trial. After hearing from the law enforcement, the family, the prosecutor and the defendant, Judge Newman did not accept Baggett’s plea. “The best course in the case is to leave you where I found you Mr. Baggett,” said Newman.
Once outside the courtroom, the family of the victim said they were satisfied with the judge’s decision. “He (Baggett) tried to lie through the whole thing,” said the victim’s son, Gregg Turner. “Obviously he wasn’t drunk enough to make up the lies.”  Baggett’s family attended the hearing but left once court was adjourned.