SC court affirms pregnant girlfriend murder

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s highest court has upheld the conviction of a man found guilty of smothering his pregnant girlfriend, then using her cell phone to send relatives text messages so they would think she was all right.

The state Supreme Court on Monday ruled a trial judge did not err in allowing testimony about the definition of homicide during Christopher Commander’s trial.

Commander was convicted of murder in 2006 and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors said he smothered Gervonya Goodwin, then emptied her checking account and texted relatives to keep them from being suspicious.

Goodwin’s body wasn’t found for more than a month after she died.

Authorities said Commander sent the final message — “I’m alive” — hours after Goodwin’s mother found her daughter under a blanket on her couch.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://www.twitter/com/MegKinnardAP