GAFFNEY MAN RECEIVES LIFE PRISON SENTENCE FOR SHOOTING DEATH

A Gaffney man received a life prison sentence today for shooting a Cowpens man to death during an armed hold-up.

Justin Byers, 22, pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery and first-degree burglary charges. Byers shot to Furman Scott Armstrong, 24, of Cowpens to death. Circuit Judge Mark Hayes issued concurrent life prison sentences on the murder and first-degree charges and a concurrent 30-year prison sentence for armed robbery. He is not eligible for parole.

The murder occurred Jan. 4, 2008 at the Fleming Road home of the victim’s brother, Kendrick Armstrong. Byers forced his way into the home about 1:30 a.m. and shot Furman Armstrong in the head before robbing Kendrick of a sum of money. Witness accounts and a police sketch helped arrest Byers. Assistant Solicitor Mike Morin prosecuted the case.

Criminal charges are still pending on three co-defendants in the case. Furman Armstrong was a student at Southern Wesleyan at the time of his death.

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892.