On January 30, in a Richland County, South Carolina court (Columbia) a Baxley man, Christopher Heller, 30, was sentenced to life in prison for a murder incident that occurred on August 25, 2006 in Columbia. Heller was charged with the murder of Gustavo Guzman-Hernandez of Columbia.

According to Richland County Assistant Solicitor Dolly Justice Garfield, Heller stabbed Guzman-Hernandez multiple times in the 2006 incident and he died as a result of stab wound to the chest area. “In South Carolina, life means life,” added Garfield about the sentencing.

In addition to the life sentence, Heller was also sentenced to 20 years on the charge of assault and battery.

Appling County Sheriff Benny Deloach, who was subpoenaed to serve as a witness in the case, stated that the Appling County Sheriff’s Department assisted South Carolina authorities in arresting Heller in Appling County following the 2006 incident.