In the quiet town of Bennettsville, South Carolina, the life of 38-year-old Regginold McLain, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short on the evening of March 12, 2016. McLain had gone to a residence on Wanda Street with the simple intention of picking up his 12-year-old daughter. However, this parental errand devolved into a fatal confrontation.
An altercation broke out between McLain and another man, James Zevon Brown, who was 32 years old at the time.
The dispute escalated with a single, tragic gunshot. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported hearing the shot that ended McLain's life. His body was later discovered on the front porch of the home, a place where he had only meant to retrieve his child.
The Marlboro County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the State Law Enforcement Division launched a thorough investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of a primary suspect. James Zevon Brown, also known by the nickname 'JJ,' was taken into custody by law enforcement. He faced serious charges, including murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Brown was subsequently held at the Marlboro County Detention Center as the investigation continued to unfold.
As detectives delved deeper into the circumstances surrounding McLain's death, another arrest was made. The victim's own estranged wife, Emily McLain, was charged with obstruction of justice. Authorities alleged that she had provided false information to investigators who were working to piece together the events of that fatal night. A bond for Emily McLain was set at $10,000 as she faced legal proceedings for her alleged role in hindering the investigation. The community was left to grapple with the shocking violence and the complex web of relationships that culminated in a father's death.
