GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–On Wednesday, members of the National Action Network announced that they want S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to prosecute the double murder case of a Goose Creek man charged with shooting and killing two men before setting their bodies on fire and burying them in his backyard.
Their request comes just one day after a circuit court judge in Berkeley County granted James Loftis of Pandora Drive in Goose Creek bond. He’s since been released from jail, according to court records.
Court records also show that as part of his release, Loftis is allowed to go to work, attend church and visit his attorney’s office.
“We will not allow this to become a Trayvon Martin or a Zimmerman case,” stated NAN in a press release. “We will be sending a letter to the state attorney general’s office asking for assistance.”
Goose Creek Police say on March 6th, 2016, the two victims, James Cody Newland and Guma Dubar, were shot, their bodies burned beyond recognition and then buried in a shallow grave.
Officers say that Loftis confessed that in the early morning hours of March 5th, he took a cab ride home to his house after leaving a strip club.
After the cab ride, Loftis reportedly told police that he walked inside his home and a short time later the cab driver, Dubar, and Newland banged on the front door. Police say Loftis stated that he then proceeded to open the front door, at which time the other two men pushed their way into the house.
They reportedly then told Loftis that they wanted their money for the cab fare. After being threatened, police say Loftis stated, “I’ll get your money” and walked into another room to obtain a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.men pushed their way into the house.
Loftis went on to explain that he then walked back into the living room and fired eight shots at the cab driver and Newland.
The attorney for Loftis reportedly plans to defend his client under South Carolina’s Castle Doctrine. Many people know this law as “Stand Your Ground.”
However, civil rights leaders stated that this law should not apply in this case, arguing that:
- Both men were unarmed.
- They claim previous reports state that the two men were shot execution style.
- They claim previous reports state that at least one of the victim’s was an acquaintance of Loftis.
- There was no reported forced entry.
If convicted Loftis could face the death penalty or life in prison.
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