Rock Hill, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The trial of Evan Hawthorne, a former Chester County deputy sheriff, is underway in Rock Hill. He faces murder charges related to the death of retired Rock Hill police lieutenant Larry Vaughan after a night of drinking that led to a violent altercation in Vaughan’s apartment. With evidence including body camera footage and witness testimonies, both the prosecution and defense present sharply contrasting narratives of the events that transpired. The case raises critical questions regarding law enforcement conduct in officer-involved fatalities.
Rock Hill is currently witnessing a significant trial involving former Chester County deputy sheriff Evan Hawthorne. The 31-year-old is facing charges of murder in connection with the death of retired Rock Hill police lieutenant Larry Vaughan, an incident that occurred four years ago. The trial has drawn considerable attention as it revolves around an officer-involved shooting that resulted in a fatality.
During the trial proceedings, a pivotal moment came when Deputy Sheriff Joshua Yates testified that he observed swollen knuckles on Hawthorne following his arrest, while stating there were no visible injuries on Hawthorne’s face. Despite the charges against him, Hawthorne has entered a plea of not guilty. Evidence presented to the jury included body camera footage capturing the moment of Hawthorne’s arrest along with an interview conducted shortly thereafter.
In the prosecution’s opening statements, Assistant Solicitor Spenser Smith accused Hawthorne of attacking Vaughan out of anger following a dispute at the Tattooed Brews bar. The two men had been drinking together that night, despite being strangers prior to that evening. Witnesses reported that after an argument, both men fell to the ground, and Vaughan was escorted from the establishment, with Hawthorne following closely behind.
Upon exiting the bar, it was reported that the men hugged and reconciled before heading back to Vaughan’s apartment. However, accounts of the events that transpired once they entered the apartment differ significantly between the prosecution and defense. The prosecution claimed that Hawthorne forced his way into Vaughan’s apartment after being invited, while the defense asserted that Vaughan initiated physical aggression against Hawthorne, leading him to act in self-defense during the subsequent altercation that culminated in Vaughan’s death.
In the early stages of the investigation, Rock Hill Police Sergeant Allen Cantey discovered Vaughan deceased in his apartment after a friend voiced concerns about Vaughan’s well-being. Upon entering the apartment, Cantey found Vaughan’s body on the floor, prompting an investigation that led to the discovery of blood smeared on the hallway walls outside Vaughan’s apartment, raising suspicions of foul play.
As jurors were shown evidence of the police investigation, the defense raised questions about its credibility, pointing to discrepancies in the police report, which took months to finalize. They also highlighted issues with the documentation of items removed from Vaughan’s apartment, including handcuffs marked with initials, which were allegedly not recorded as evidence properly.
Evidence presented in court included blood spatter and other physical evidence collected from the scene, as well as clothing worn by Hawthorne on the night of the incident. Law enforcement has been working to establish a timeline of events following Hawthorne’s departure from Vaughan’s apartment and his return home, with prosecutors maintaining that Hawthorne left the apartment covered in blood after the altercation.
The trial remains ongoing, with jurors set to hear further testimonies, the next of which is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Given the circumstances surrounding this case, the trial is pivotal in addressing issues of law enforcement conduct when an officer is involved in a fatal incident.
FAQ
What are the charges against Evan Hawthorne?
Evan Hawthorne is facing murder charges related to the death of retired police lieutenant Larry Vaughan.
What was the incident that led to these charges?
The incident occurred four years ago following a night of drinking at a bar, leading to an altercation between Hawthorne and Vaughan at Vaughan’s apartment.
How has the evidence presented in trial been characterized?
Evidence includes body camera footage, testimony about the nature of the altercation, and physical evidence found at the crime scene.
What defenses are being presented by Hawthorne’s lawyer?
Hawthorne’s defense claims that he acted in self-defense during the altercation with Vaughan.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Former Chester County Deputy Charged in Murder Trial
- Wikipedia: Murder Trial
- Charlotte Observer: Chester County Deputy’s Trial
- Google Search: Chester County Deputy Murder Trial
- WSOC TV: Delay in Trial of Deputy Accused of Murder
- Google Scholar: Murder Trial Chester County
- Crime and Cask: Former Chester County Deputy Faces Murder Trial
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder Trial
- WSOC TV: Prosecutors Seek Adult Trial for Teen Murder Suspect
- Google News: Murder Trial South Carolina
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