Sandy Lee Locklear

Case record: Sandy Lee Locklear

Background

Sandy Lee Locklear was the wife of Amos Hatfield, 66. Locklear was also connected to the killing of her husband and her husband’s son, Thomas Howard Hatfield, 40.

Amos Hatfield purchased a home for Locklear on Fair Bluff Road in Tabor City on June 12, but he resided with his son in another home he owned on Red Bluff Road in Loris.

The offence

Locklear was convicted in fatal shootings of her husband, Amos Hatfield, and his son, Thomas Howard Hatfield.

The Hatfields were found dead from gunshot wounds about 4:30 a.m. Aug. 19, 2012, inside the home they shared on Red Bluff Road in Loris. Police said the killings involved a murder for hire to collect an insurance policy.

Locklear was charged with two counts of murder and first-degree burglary in connection with the shooting deaths of Amos Hatfield and Thomas Howard Hatfield.

Locklear was also charged with filing a false police report stemming from a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, according to records.

Investigation

Horry County Police charged Locklear after detectives identified her as being involved in the incident.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Locklear participated in the murders and conspired with two additional suspects to rob and kill the victims.

Lt. Robert Kegler of Horry County police said police believed Locklear conspired with Nehemiah James Evans and Odom Bryant to rob and kill her husband and his son.

Lt. Robert Kegler also said it was indicated that Locklear conspired with Nehemiah James Evans and Odom Bryant to rob and kill her husband and his son. The relationship between Locklear and the two suspects, other than the alleged conspiracy, was not clear, and Kegler said he was not aware if they were relatives or friends.

Arrest

Locklear was arrested and charged in connection with the Aug. 19, 2012 shootings.

Horry County Police charged Locklear on Aug. 20, 2012. She was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center less than 48 hours after she allegedly gunned down Amos Hatfield and Thomas Howard Hatfield. She was also charged with burglary and filing a false police report.

Locklear and two other men, Nehemiah James Evans and Odom Bryant, were charged in the incident. The men remained at J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bond.

Trial

Locklear’s trial began June 2 and ended Thursday night after nearly two weeks in court.

Jurors deliberated for nearly three hours before reaching a verdict. A Horry County jury convicted Locklear of two counts of murder.

Brad Richardson, a senior assistant solicitor with the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, stated that jurors convicted Locklear of two counts of murder.

Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Culbertson gave Locklear two life in prison sentences, which would run concurrently.

Sentencing

On June 13, 2014, Locklear was sentenced to two life in prison sentences that would run concurrently.

Appeals

No appeals were described.

Outcome

Locklear was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 13, 2014.

Aftermath

Brad Richardson said that “This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Horry County Police Department,” and that “The family was relieved at the verdict.”

Neighbors said Locklear had mostly kept to herself since moving into the home; Jennifer Edwards said: “All we did was throw our hands up to each other,” and “We never spoke other than to say hello, so I don’t really know anything about [her].” She also said: “We just found out about [her being charged] today. I can tell you I was very surprised.”

John Adkins, husband of Amos Hatfield’s daughter Sylvia, said Amos Hatfield “hadn’t even shared that he had remarried until about six months after it happened,” and said: “He was very private,” and “He wouldn’t speak about buying that house for her.”

Adkins said he had health issues over the past couple of years and “often going alone before coming down with health issues over the past couple of years.” Adkins said one of their favorite places to go when he tagged along was on Rowe Pond Road in Conway near Lees Landing.

Adkins said he and his wife did not find out about the slayings until about 4 p.m. Sunday, when Horry County Coroner Robert Edge was finally able to locate them, and said: “It shocked me when he called and said it happened,” and “When I found out [they had charged Locklear], I guess I was numb at the time so I didn’t really care one way or the other.”

Adkins said the couple tried to make arrangements for the Hatfields on Monday but could not because police were processing evidence and had not released the bodies. He said: “I’ll just do all I can for her,” “Just be there for her. That’s all you can do.”

Adkins said the younger Hatfield also had two children, another preceded him in death, and that they were staying with the mother of his wife, Iola Sandy Lee Hatfield. It was stated that she was serving a three-year prison sentence for burglary at Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood and was eligible for parole Sept. 21.

Other details

On Aug. 19, 2012, officers with the Horry County Police Department’s Uniform Patrol Division responded to a home on Red Bluff Road in reference to a reported home invasion. Officers found two males dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Locklear was charged with two counts of murder and first-degree burglary, and Evans and Bryant were each charged with two counts of murder and first-degree burglary. Charges were pending against both men, whose cases would be adjudicated later.