GREENWOOD, S.C.; March 6, 2023 – A Greenwood man was sentenced last Friday to 20 years in state prison for the April 2021 shooting of his then-girlfriend, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Monday.
Scotty Joe Fowler, 41, was convicted by a Greenwood County Jury on charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The trial began Monday with pretrial motions and ended late Friday afternoon when the jury returned guilty verdicts after just 45 minutes of deliberation.
Circuit Judge Frank Addy Jr. then sentenced Fowler to 15 years in prison on the attempted murder charge and an additional five years on the weapon charge. The sentences are to run consecutively.
In April 2021, deputies were dispatched to Fowler’s Lemon Tree Drive residence where they discovered Fowler holding a sheet to the victim’s head in an attempt to stop bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Fowler told conflicting stories about the events leading up to the shooting.
Investigators interviewed another resident who said Fowler had put a gun to the victim’s head and threatened her on multiple occasions. Investigators also located several bullet holes in the wall of the bedroom shared by Fowler and the victim. Investigators were also able to interview the victim who said Fowler had abused her in the past and that the shooting was not an accident.
Assistant Solicitor Madison Hoffman and Senior Assistant Solicitor Micah Black handled the case for the state with assistance from 8th Circuit Investigator Blake Moore and 8th Circuit Victim Advocate Sarah Parris. Fowler was represented by Stephen Geoly of the Greenwood County Bar.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff as well as the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office in securing the conviction and lengthy prison sentence.
“I am pleased to see a violent abuser like Scotty Fowler behind bars for a very long time,” Solicitor Stumbo said following the sentencing. “We must continue to fight on all fronts against the epidemic of domestic violence and my office will continue to fight alongside our partners in this community who are committed to bringing it to an end.”