South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Jason Tyrell Ford has pleaded guilty to the murder of 72-year-old Mae Edith Burgess in Clarendon County. The incident occurred on December 13, 2022, when Ford killed Burgess in her home. The case was managed by the Violent Crime Case Reduction Unit (VCCRU), a unit created by Attorney General Wilson to address case backlogs, particularly in rural areas.
“This case is especially heartbreaking because Ford stole a car in Sumter County, then drove to Ms. Burgess’s home and killed her as she sat down for dinner, just so he could steal her car. He then continued his crime spree when he tried to kill another man in Sumter County, but thankfully that man survived,” Attorney General Wilson said.
Judge Kirk Griffin sentenced Ford to life without parole for the murder charge. In addition to this sentence, Ford pleaded guilty to Burglary and received a 30-year sentence. He also admitted guilt for Grand Larceny and was given the maximum sentence of 10 years, along with pleading guilty to possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Ford still faces pending charges of Attempted Murder and Grand Larceny of a Vehicle in Sumter County.
The trial was originally scheduled for April 13; however, Ford entered his guilty plea before proceedings began.
Assistant Attorney General Angela McCall-Tanner prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. The investigation involved collaboration between the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. This cooperation reflects how the South Carolina Attorney General works closely with law enforcement agencies across the state on criminal prosecutions (source).
The office led by Alan Wilson serves as South Carolina’s main legal authority and enforcer, handling various prosecutions and regulatory matters (source). Its operations extend statewide (source) and include support for victims through advocacy and resources aimed at community safety (source).
