Darlington man gets life sentence for stepmothers murder

Steven Samuel has been found guilty of Murder for the May 17, 2021 killing of his step-mother, Solicitor Will Rogers announced yesterday. In addition, he was also convicted of Kidnapping and Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree for attacking his step-sister.

The trial began Monday, August 12, 2024 and concluded August 15, 2024. The defendant represented himself at trial. Judge Paul Burch sentenced Samuel to life without the possibility of parole for the Murder and two consecutive sentences of 30 years for the Kidnapping and Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Monty Bell.

Samuel murdered his step-mother in her home. Later, when his step-sister arrived at the home, Samuel attacked her and confined her from escaping him.

In his closing argument, Assistant Solicitor Bell referenced the difficulty of the trial due to the defendants actions in the courtroom. The defendant was cited for contempt of court twice during the trial. “In my 17 years practicing law, this has been one of the most painful trials of my career and I know it has been for you the jury as well,” said Bell. “However, the pain we’ve suffered does not compare to the pain the victims suffered.”

Due to Assistant Solicitor Bell serving the defendant with a Notice of Intent to Seek Life Without Parole, Samuel was sentenced under South Carolina’s two-strike law. He was previously convicted of Armed Robbery, which is classified as a Most Serious offense. Murder is also a Most Serious offense, so the conviction resulted in a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

Samuel will serve his sentence in a facility to be determined by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.