Woman sentenced to 25 years after double murder

Circuit Court Judge George M. McFaddin Jr. delivered the verdict after a two-day bench trial held June 2-3 in Darlington County General Sessions Court. Cowick was found guilty of Accessory Before the Fact to Armed Robbery and Accessory Before the Fact to Burglary, First Degree, but was acquitted of Accessory Before the Fact to Murder.

The victims were found shot to death at their home on Bobo Newsome Highway in July 2016. According to incident reports, there was forced entry to the front door and the house had been ransacked with drawers opened and furniture cushions moved. Couplin’s 15-year-old son told investigators his mother had recently received harassing phone calls from someone named “Cephas.”

Cowick’s ex-husband, Cephas Cowick, previously pleaded guilty to the murders in June 2020 and is currently serving a life sentence. He had stolen Couplin’s car and burned it on Birdsnest Road near Hartsville in an attempt to cover up the crime.

During the sentencing hearing, family members of the victims delivered heartbreaking testimony about the lasting impact of the tragedy. Za’Kilah Davis, who was in the home when her grandmother and sister were killed, spoke about the trauma she continues to experience nine years later.

“I was in the home. My uncle had woken me up. I had woken up to see the house messed up,” Davis said through tears. “I went downstairs. I didn’t see my grandmother. But I did see my sister. And it made a big impact on me. Like I cry every other night thinking about my sister and how they took them away from me.”

Maurice Royster, Couplin’s son, emphasized that both defendants bore responsibility regardless of who pulled the trigger. Tonay Davis, Couplin’s daughter, described the nine-year journey of seeking counseling for herself and her daughter following the traumatic loss.

Before sentencing, Cowick addressed the court and apologized for her actions, attributing them to drug addiction that had taken control of her life at the time.

“I was deep in a spiral of addiction, and I am truly sorry that my poor decisions have had such a horrible, irreversible impact on your life,” Cowick said. “I lost myself to drugs and became involved with people and situations that I knew were not acceptable on any level.”

Several people testified on Cowick’s behalf, including staff from Magdalene House of Charleston, a nonprofit recovery home where Cowick completed a rehabilitation program. Her parents, Mary Ward Baucom and Charles Baucom, spoke about the positive changes they had witnessed in their daughter’s life since overcoming addiction.

Judge McFaddin acknowledged the difficulty of his decision, noting Cowick’s apparent remorse while remaining mindful of the severity of the crimes.

“What I have been called upon to do in this case gives me no pleasure,” McFaddin said. “My involvement in this case and all that has happened is saturated with sadness, darkness, and misery. Nothing I can do today will ever change any of that.”

With credit for approximately nine years already served in jail and under house arrest monitoring, Cowick will serve approximately 16 additional years in prison. Under South Carolina law, she must serve a minimum of 85% of her sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond and Assistant Solicitor Savannah Baxley of the 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The investigation was conducted by the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. Cowick was represented by attorneys Paul Cannarella Sr. and Bennette Gore.

Solicitor Mike Burch issued a statement praising the work of prosecutors and investigators, emphasizing his office’s commitment to resolving longstanding cases and seeking justice for victims and their families.

“Since taking office in January, I have made it a priority to move forward with longstanding unresolved cases such as this one,” Burch said. “Our commitment to seeking justice remains unwavering.”

Fourth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Redmond acknowledged Cowick’s recovery efforts while maintaining that accountability for her actions was necessary, stating that while they applaud anyone who overcomes drug addiction, responsibility for past crimes must still be addressed.