SLED charges 2 Saluda County men for 2018 Spring murder

SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)–  Two Saluda County men have been charged in connection with a 2018 shooting death of a man, said SLED.

According to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Earl Eugene Valentine Jr., 24, was charged on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Derrick Cyrus, Jr., 30, was charged on the same day with accessory after the fact to murder.

On October 19, 2018, Valentine shot 39-year-old James Patrick Kinard at the Hazzard Circle area of Ridge Spring, according to an arrest warrant.

During the investigation, law enforcement found 38 special caliber cartridge cases in Cyrus’ trash can outside his residence after the shooting which matched the caliber of the bullet that killed Kinard.

Officials said witnesses saw two people known as “Man” and “DJ” outside near the area where the shooting took place.

A witness identified “Man” as Valentine and “DJ” as Cyrus through a SLED photo line-up.

The arrest warrant states law enforcement was told by someone that Valentine admitted to killing Kinard.

Also the warrant states, Cyrus “rendered aid, shelter, and/or assistance” to Valentine after the shooting.

Both men were taken to the Saluda County Detention Center.