Eichelberger Family: ‘Justice Was Served’

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — After more than two years the family of the late Rev. Tryon Eichelberger learns the fate of the man police say killed the local pastor and patriarch. A jury Wednesday unanimously found 46-year-old Frankie McGee of Kershaw guilty of murder and guilty of first degree burglary. A judge said direct and circumstantial evidence proves McGee is responsible for breaking into the home of Eichleberger, beating and robbing him in May, 2009. The reverend later died of his injuries. A packed courtroom of family and friends gathered as the verdict was read. The sentence of life for the murder charge and 30 years for the first degree burglary charge was met with sighs of relief from those in attendance. Daughter of victim, Mary Johnson, says the family requested life in prison instead of the death penalty because “everyday he will have to think about what he has done. That’s worse than the death penalty.” Before being led out of the courtroom in shackles, McGee addressed the court and the family, professing his innocence. The defense plans to file an appeal within the next ten days.