BRUNSON, S.C. (WSAV) - A 25-year-old Brunson man who shot and killed an acquaintance in 2022 has been found guilty of murder following trial at the Hampton County Courthouse.
Trampas Adam Prater was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison without parole. This follows his conviction of Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime in the May 26, 2022, shooting death of 26-year-old Stuart Miller of Ravenel.
Evans called 10 witnesses during the three-day jury trial. They deliberated for 90 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.
Witnesses said Prater had a “crazy look in his eye” and threatened to shoot Miller while the two men were in the backyard of a Varnville home. Three of the witnesses said they heard the gunfire. One stated they saw Prater aiming a gun at Miller. Prater warned the remaining nearby people that whoever “snitched would be next” before leaving the scene.
A neighbor later spotted Miller lying motionless in the backyard and called police. Local law enforcement and investigators with the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) found a .40-caliber casing near Miller’s body.
“This defendant brazenly and wantonly killed a man and then threatened to do the same to others,” said prosecutor Reed Evans of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. “He is done terrorizing this community. Justice was served in Hampton County.”
Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen handed down Wednesday’s sentence.
Prater’s criminal record includes a 2021 conviction for unlawful carry of a firearm.
Family of Saudi Lee release body cam footage of fatal shooting