UPDATED: Fourth Man Arrested For Aiken County Homicide

***11:50 a.m. Update December 3***

Fourth Man Arrested For Aiken County Homicide

Aiken, S.C., December 03, 2009—According to Sgt. Dave Myers, late Wednesday afternoon, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) investigators arrested an additional Aiken man in connection with the homicide of an Aiken man, Donald Hickman, whose body was discovered Wednesday evening November 25, 2009 on Green Rd. in Aiken.

Christopher Anthony Knight, 23, of Gunter Road, in Aiken, S.C. is charged with Accessory after the fact to a Murder.

During the on going investigation of Mr. Hickman’s homicide, ACSO Investigators discovered that Mr. Knight did assist one of the three subjects, that have already been charged with the murder of Mr. Hickman, knowing that one of the subjects had committed murder of the victim, with the intent of assisting one of the three subjects, to avoid the consequences of the murder.

On Wednesday, November 25th, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to a body, later identified as Donald Hickman of Aiken, that a passing motorist discovered while traveling on Green Rd. in Aiken, S.C. The victim had sustained several gun shot wounds, was transported by EMS to MCG hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Derrick Valentine, Kristopher Allard Reichardt, and Michael Smith Jr. were charged with the murder of Mr. Hickman on Thursday November 26, 2009, and are currently being held at the Aiken County Detention Center.

Christopher Knight was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center and later released on a $30,000 bond.

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***1:00 p.m. Update November 26***

Investigators Arrest Three Men For Aiken County Homicide

Aiken, S.C., November 26, 2009—According to Sgt. Dave Myers, early Thursday morning, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested three Aiken men for the
homicide of an Aiken man, whose body was discovered Wednesday evening on Green Road, in Aiken.

Derrick Valentine, 26, of the 400 block of Biscayne Road, in Aiken, S.C. is charged with Murder, Armed Robbery, and Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana.

Kristopher Allard Reichardt, 25, of the 20 block of Middleton Drive, in Aiken, S.C. is charged with Murder, Armed Robbery, and Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana.

Michael Gary Smith, Jr., 22, of the 100 block of Green Acres Park Lane, in Langley, S.C. is charged with Murder, and Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana.

On Wednesday, November 25th, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to a body, later identified as Donald Hickman, of Aiken, that a passing motorist discovered while traveling on Green Road. The victim had sustained several gun shot wounds, was transported by EMS to MCG hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. As a result of a quick response and follow up to this incident, ACSO Investigators were able to make three arrests in connection with the death of Mr. Hickman in a matter of hours following this homicide.

Sheriff Michael Hunt stated,” Due to our Investigators taking immediate action, persistence and hard work with this homicide, the Sheriff’s Office was able to make an arrest concerning a violent act, and give citizens in this community some peace of mind.”

Derrick Valentine and Kristopher Allard Reichardt are now being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

Michael Smith, Jr. is in the custody of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office pending extradition.

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***10:00 p.m. Update November 25***

According to Aiken County Coroner tim Carlton, a 24-year-old Aiken man was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Georgia Emergency Room at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday evening. Donald Hickman, of Aiken, was discovered around 6:00 p.m. on the 600 block of Green Road, in Aiken County, by a passing motorist. He had sustained several gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to MCG where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. This death is being investigated by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. Autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, in Newberry, SC.

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Aiken, S.C., November 25, 2009—According to Sgt. Dave Myers, around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to a body being discovered.

A motorist traveling on Green Road, in Aiken, S.C., discovered the body. The victim, who has not yet been identified, had been shot multiple times.

The death is being considered a homicide investigation, and is being investigated as such by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.

There are no other details for comment concerning the investigation at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: (800)-922-9709. Individuals also should call Crime Stoppers of the Midlands:  (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.