New Charges Against Ex-Deputy Coroner, Conway Woman in Horry County Homicide
In a recent development in Horry County, South Carolina, new charges have been pressed against an ex-deputy coroner and a Conway woman, both previously implicated in the 2020 killing of a local man. Court filings reveal that both Chris Dontell and Meagan Jackson, the mother of the victim’s four children, have now been indicted with additional charges related to the death of Gregory Rice.
Details of the New Charges
The Horry County Clerk of Court’s archives indicate that a grand jury issued new indictments to Dontrel and Jackson in direct relation to Rice’s death. On June 12, Dontell was indicted for accessory after the fact and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The indictment alleges that in early October 2020, he, along with Jackson, kidnapped Rice. According to the new indictment, the ex-coroner also assisted Jackson in the killing of Rice.
Jackson, on the other hand, now faces charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping after the grand jury indicted her on June 12. The charges allege that she entered into an agreement with Dontell to kidnap Rice “by any means whatsoever.”
Previous Charges
These latest counts will be an addition to the pair’s prior charges, which include murder. Rice’s body was discovered in November 2020, a month after he was reported missing. His remains were found along the Little Pee Dee River near Pitts Landing off Highway 378 at the Horry/Marion County line.
Impact of the Charges on the Accused
Jackson had been released on bond since March 2022, with the condition of home detention and an order to have no negative interaction with law enforcement. However, court documents reveal a recent violation of these terms. Jackson was arrested in February and remanded into custody, though online records show she has since returned to home detention following this arrest.
Meanwhile, Dontell continues to be jailed for an alleged violation of his bond terms. Whether the two accused will face trial separately or jointly still remains uncertain. According to court officials, scheduling issues recently prompted a delay in Dontell’s trial. The case remains ongoing and further updates are forthcoming, as per the order of Horry County court proceedings.
Further Investigations
The local law enforcement authorities and Horry County court continue their pursuit of justice in this case. As more intricate details about the crime evolve, adding new dimensions to this already complex case, one thing remains constant – the committed pursuit of justice for the victim and his family. HERE News will keep its readers updated as more information becomes available. All the details reported are based on official court records to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information.
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