BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–A Berkeley County jury recently convicted defendant Fred Freeman of breaking into a Goose Creek family’s home during the night of October 3, 2015.
After a two-day jury trial, Circuit Court Judge Maite Murphy sentenced Freeman to 45 years in prison for the charge of Burglary 1st Degree, and a concurrent 5-year sentence for Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. The 60-year-old Freeman’s criminal history dates back to 1975, and includes multiple convictions for Burglary, Housebreaking, Grand Larceny, and various other property crimes.
The homeowners and one of their young daughters came home during a torrential rainstorm at approximately 8:25 p.m. that night. When they opened their front door, they saw Freeman standing in their living room. Unbeknownst to them, Freeman had broken a window on the side of the home to gain entry, and had already plundered through various rooms of the house, stealing two pistols, jewelry, a wallet and food items. Upon seeing Freeman, the wife grabbed their daughter, ran outside, locked themselves and their family dog in her car and called 911. Her husband charged toward Freeman, chasing him through the back of the house and attempted to apprehend him.
Freeman was able to break free of the homeowner’s grasp and they continued into the fenced in backyard. Prior to attempting to climb over the fence, Freeman turned toward the homeowner, at which time he saw Freeman was holding one of the stolen handguns and a bag containing other stolen property. The homeowner threw a lawn chair at Freeman as he was trying to get over fence, then while trying to grab him again, both men fell over the fence and landed on a concrete slab on the other side. The homeowner landed on Freeman, and attempted to hold him on the ground.
A neighbor had heard the commotion and came outside to find them still fighting over the pistol. The neighbor was able to gain possession of the gun, then called 911. The homeowner was able to maintain control of Freeman on the ground until Goose Creek Police Officers arrived and took Freeman into custody.
When Freeman was arrested, he had the victim’s stolen wallet and jewelry in his pants pockets. When officers located the bag he was holding while trying to escape from the home, they found the second pistol and other items that had been taken from the home.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Solicitor Bryan Alfaro and Assistant Solicitor Benjamin Dennis.
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