A South Carolina jury recently ruled that Craig Anthony Lewis was not guilty of murdering his wife, Terry Lewis. The verdict came after a three-day trial that involved some contentious points about what evidence could be presented in court.
Craig Lewis faced murder charges after prosecutors accused him of setting Terry on fire during a violent altercation in their Walterboro, S.C. home on January 16, 2019. The injuries Terry sustained were severe; she suffered third-degree burns over much of her body and was in critical condition for several days following the incident. Against the odds, she survived, but she faced numerous complications during her recovery.
After her sedation was reduced, Terry provided a detailed account of the traumatic events of that night to investigators, a moment that was pivotal for the prosecution. However, complications arose as her statements were later deemed not admissible in court due to legal rules about hearsay and the inability to cross-examine her.
During the trial, Assistant Solicitor Hunter Swanson argued that Craig’s behavior following the incident was suspicious. He claimed that instead of calling for help, Craig tended to Terry in a way that suggested guilt—moving her around the house while she was critically injured and cleaning up evidence without alerting emergency services promptly. The prosecution highlighted how Craig also allegedly discarded some items that could have been linked to the incident.
In contrast, Craig’s defense lawyer, Senator Margie Bright Matthews, contended that the fire was accidental, possibly stemming from Terry trying to use a wood-burning stove. She pointed out that Craig did not call 911 immediately simply because the hospital was nearby, which the defense claimed illustrated a lack of malice.
One crucial aspect that complicated the trial was the judge’s ruling to exclude all of Terry’s statements. The defense argued that since Terry was deceased, Craig could not confront her as a witness, which led to his acquittal. The judge decided that while there exists a rule in South Carolina that allows certain statements made under the belief of imminent death to be used, the specifics of Terry’s case did not qualify for this exception.
During the proceedings, Terry’s daughter, Leigh Ann, testified about the abusive behavior she witnessed between her mother and Craig, recounting a particularly violent episode just hours before the incident. However, her testimony was met with skepticism from the defense, particularly concerning her motives as she later sought legal guardianship over her mother’s finances.
After nearly two hours of deliberation, the jury concluded with a not guilty verdict. Craig Lewis was released from all charges, and he left the courtroom a free man, five years after the tragic death of his wife.
In the aftermath, Leigh Ann posted on social media expressing her grief and the heavy burden of the trial. She indicated a readiness to move forward, despite the unresolved emotions tied to the case and the legal system’s complexities.
The case raises several questions about domestic violence, legal processes, and the challenges that arise during trials involving deeply personal narratives. As it stands, the legal journey for both families continues, intertwined with the heavy emotions of loss and justice.
