GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – A Georgetown man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after killing another man following a home invasion in 2012.
According to the office of Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, a week long trial took place before Judge Knox McMahon sentenced Damonte Rivera, 22, of Georgetown, to life in prison, plus a consecutive 30 years in prison, for Rivera’s role in a 2012 home invasion and murder.
Officials report that Rivera, along with two other men, namely Anthony Fraser and Alfonza Thomas, kicked in the door of a home the morning of August 30, 2012, and demanded money and drugs from the victims. During the course of the home invasion the defendants pointed a gun at a 10–year-old girl and a toddler, the solicitor reports.
Shortly after the home invasion, Rivera and Fraser shot Thomas to death from behind while on the path near the Beck recreation center in Georgetown, Richardson adds.
Judge McMahon sentenced Rivera to 30 years each for the charges of burglary, armed robbery, and kidnapping stemming from the home invasion, and ordered each of those 30 year sentences to run concurrently. The judge sentenced Rivera to life in prison for the murder of Thomas.
Deputy Solicitor Alicia Richardson, who tried the case, said, “I hope the victims in this case can find peace now that justice has been served. Our community just became safer with Rivera behind bars. This trial was a lengthy and momentous joint effort of our office and the Georgetown City Police Department.”
On September 28, Judge Steven John sentenced Rivera’s co-defendant, Anthony Fraser, to 22 years in prison after Fraser pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, armed robbery, and burglary.
The criminal cases on the two other men relating to their role in the home invasion are still pending.
