October 16, 2012
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Walhalla, SC. Just before opening statements began this morning, Tyson Tyrone Watt plead guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court to Assault & Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Watt to 20 years suspended to 15 years in prison and 5 years probation to follow. Watt was also sentenced to 5 years (to be served concurrently) for Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.
On May 2, 2011, Tevin Lewis was visiting some friends on East Main Street in Seneca. The defendant came by and engaged in a verbal argument with Lewis. Watt left the location but returned approximately an hour later armed with a gun. Watt shot Lewis and as Lewis was retreating, Watt shot him a second time. The victim was later airlifted to Greenville Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Nothing good ever comes from bringing a gun to an argument,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “It is fortunate that today’s hearing was for an assault charge and not murder. This was a violent crime deserving of a stiff penalty. As such, we are pleased that today’s sentence will place the defendant behind bars for the next decade and a half and serve as a reminder to all criminals that gun violence will land you in prison.”