Two Cross Hill residents were picked up by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday, and were being held in the Johnson Detention Center overnight, pending charges.
Sheriff Ricky Chastain confirmed for WLBG News that the two are being held in connection with the Sheriff’s Office ongoing investigation into the double homicide last Friday morning in Cross Hill.
Being held, pending charges, are 22-year-old Tevin O’Neil Hill of 107 John Grant Street, Cross Hill and 26-year-old DeShandon Markelle Franks of 13468 Highway 560, Cross Hill.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the death early last Friday morning of 47-year-old Sammie Leake and 24-year-old Nikesha James at their residence on Havendale Drive, just off John Grant Street in Cross Hill. Leake died of two gunshot blasts to his head while James died of one gunshot that entered her neck and struck her heart, according to Coroner Nichols.
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UPDATE 02/05/2014 11:14AM
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has released the following statement confirming charges filed:
Twenty-six year old Deshanndon Markelle Franks of 13468 Highway 56, Cross Hill and 22 year old Tevin Oneil Hill of 107 John Grant Street, Cross Hill have been charged with murder in the deaths of 47 year old Sammie Dyron Leake and 24 year old Nikesha Travarea James both of 42 Haven Dale Drive, Cross Hill
Sammie Dyron Leake and his niece, Nikesha Traverea James, were found shot to death inside their mobile home on Friday, January 31st. An autopsy revealed that Leake had been shot twice and James shot once.
Laurens County Sheriff Investigators have charged Franks and Hill both with two counts of murder. Deshanndon Markelle Franks has also been charged with Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.
The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with any information about this or any other crime is encouraged to call Laurens County Crime Stoppers at 864-68CRIME (864-682-7463) or the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office at 864-984-4967. You may be entitled to a reward.
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, SLED and the Laurens County Coroner’s Office with the assistance of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office are still investigating.
Franks and Hill are being held at the Laurens County Detention Center.