Gothic Southern Mayhem and Murder

One of my favorite parts of going to Myrtle Beach is reading The Sun News. Maybe because of the heat and humidity but people do some strange things to themselves and each other. I hit the jackpot with this story. Be on the lookout for a Lifetime Movie, bestseller or even a box office smash. All the elements are there for success. This titillating story happened in Cottageville, S.C. Cottageville is located 35 miles northwest of Charleston, S.C. The population is approximately 676 with 97% Caucasian.I say approximately because of the 676, one is dead and one might get lynched. The two main characters are former Mayor Bert Reeves and officer Randy Price. Bert Reeves died of a gunshot wound to the chest the afternoon of May 16 on Nut Hatch Lane. When Police Chief Craddock arrived at the scene he found Reeves dead. Price was nearby covered in cuts and bruises. Nut Hatch Lane is a dirt road near town hall and no one knows why the two men were there. Let me give the background on the two men. Bert Reeves was the former mayor of Cottageville. I don't know how long he served as mayor or how successful he was. In 2006 while mayor he was cited for speeding twice. One of the citation clocked him at 103 mph in a 55 mph zone. He refused to resign from office. Besides the driving citations he flipped his truck in July of 2006 and received a brain injury. Although he assumed his mayoral duties after treatment he just wasn't the same according to many people. The current mayor of Cottageville is Bert Reeves's aunt. Mayor/Aunt Margaret Steen found a machete in her front yard just hours after her nephew's death. Her property is next door to her nephew's business. Although the police came with a SLED agent , no report was filed. Officer Randy Price remains on paid administrative leave since shooting Bert Reeves. He started as an officer in May 2008. I guess there weren't any other applicants since his work history showed eight jobs in eleven years. The work history included multiple firings, misconduct and brutality claims. Once in Cottageville he pissed off the municipal officials by arresting their friends, relatives, and neighbors. He did pile up lots of drug arrests. Now remember the population stated above. He must have had most of the town in jail at one time or another. SLED officials are investigating the case. The mayor and all concerned are not allowed to talk about the "events'. I confess I did google today to get more info on the case. Monday the town council met. Residents want Officer Price terminated. From his job not killed although one resident said, "Let's don't lynch the man." I don't know if that is a viable option for the residents or not. The Mayor still is unable to comment because of the ongoing investigation by SLED. What did I tell you ? Southern Gothic all the way!