Greenville Man Sentenced in Cold Case Murder
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins states that Jason Travis Merrill (48) pled guilty to Murder and Arson 2nd… Degree on November 5, 2024. The Honorable Perry Gravely sentenced him to thirty-five years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Evidence presented during the plea by Assistant Solicitor Marcus Smith established that between October 11, 2015 and October 15, 2015, Merrill shot and killed Cecil Sanders “Sandy” Morris (pictured) at 20 Michael Drive in Greenville County. On October 30, 2015, Merrill was seen on surveillance videos driving the victim’s vehicle, returning to the victim’s residence and leaving several hours later. Later that morning, neighbors called 911 to report smoke coming from the victim’s home. Fire personnel and Greenville County Deputies discovered the victim deceased, wrapped in a tarp and blankets. Merrill’s DNA was found inside a glove recovered at the scene, which also had the victim’s biological material on it. Autopsy findings revealed that Sandy was shot twice in the back of the neck before later being set on fire. Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Cox with the Cold Case Unit investigated the case. This case was the first one solved following the creation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office dedicated Cold Case Unit.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins states that Jason Travis Merrill (48) pled guilty to Murder and Arson 2nd… Degree on November 5, 2024. The Honorable Perry Gravely sentenced him to thirty-five years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Evidence presented during the plea by Assistant Solicitor Marcus Smith established that between October 11, 2015 and October 15, 2015, Merrill shot and killed Cecil Sanders “Sandy” Morris (pictured) at 20 Michael Drive in Greenville County. On October 30, 2015, Merrill was seen on surveillance videos driving the victim’s vehicle, returning to the victim’s residence and leaving several hours later. Later that morning, neighbors called 911 to report smoke coming from the victim’s home. Fire personnel and Greenville County Deputies discovered the victim deceased, wrapped in a tarp and blankets. Merrill’s DNA was found inside a glove recovered at the scene, which also had the victim’s biological material on it. Autopsy findings revealed that Sandy was shot twice in the back of the neck before later being set on fire. Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Cox with the Cold Case Unit investigated the case. This case was the first one solved following the creation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office dedicated Cold Case Unit.
