A Cherokee man accused of running over another man has pleaded not guilty to one count of 1st Degree Murder.
According to court documents, 66-year-old Richard Hammond filed the written plea of not guilty, which was entered yesterday (Mon). Hammond allegedly ran over and killed 47-year-old Christopher Wheeler of Sutherland at a farm place east of Cherokee shortly after midnight on April 21st. Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies and other agencies attempted lifesaving measures, but Wheeler was pronounced dead a short time later. Witnesses stated that Hammond “100 percent attempted to run over the victim.”
Hammond was booked into the Cherokee County Jail, but was released after posting the 100 thousand dollar cash or surety bond the day after the alleged incident.
Hammond’s next court date has not been set. He waved his right to a speedy trial. If convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Hammond would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
