BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson announced today that a Berkeley County jury found 62-year-old Johnny Irby guilty of murder and attempted murder on Thursday for the shooting of his son and the son’s fiancée at their home in Moncks Corner.
Circuit Court Judge Roger M. Young sentenced Irby to thirty years on each charge to run concurrently.
Telly Irby, his fiancée, Michelle Wiggins and her three children had recently moved from Jacksonville, Florida, and were temporarily staying with his father in Moncks Corner.
The defendant and his son were both intoxicated and after an argument in front of the home, the defendant walked back to his bedroom to retrieve his pistol.
After shooting his son, the defendant then turned the gun on Michelle Wiggins, who suffered near fatal injuries. The defendant continued to shoot as she fled the scene with her children.
Irby testified on his own behalf and claimed self-defense citing the size and strength of his son who was a star football player for Berkeley High School and a Clemson recruit.
Irby admitted, during cross-examination by Assistant Solicitor Matt Ozment, that he had given several conflicting statements about the murder including a letter to his daughter with a version he said came to him “in a dream.”
Irby also claimed he “blacked out” before he shot Michelle Wiggins and had no memory of her being there.
The three children ages 10, 11 and 12 were within inches of the defendant during the shootings.
“The children were lucky to escape; this case could have easily been five counts of homicide instead of one,” stated Solicitor Anne Williams.
All three children testified during the three day trial.
Irby had prior convictions for Criminal Domestic Violence and Driving under the influence.
The case was prosecuted by Williams and Assistant Solicitor Matt Ozment.
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