Abbeville, S.C.; September 29, 2023 – A pair of Abbeville men are facing the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted Thursday in connection to a vicious 2020 assault, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Friday morning.
Travis Arnett Lee, 46, and Kendrick Montrez Lee, 40, both of Abbeville, were convicted Thursday by an Abbeville County jury of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature following a three-day trial. The State served both men notice prior to trial that prosecutors would seek life-without-parole sentences based on their prior violent history.
Circuit Judge Frank Addy Jr. deferred sentencing until the week of October 13.
In October of 2020, the victim went to the apartments at 1108 Cambridge Street in Abbeville to confront the defendants about allegations that the victim burglarized the defendants’ apartment. Surveillance video from the apartment showed Travis Lee grab the victim in the parking lot and hold the victim until Kendrick Lee arrived with a blunt object and strike the victim in the head multiple times. The video showed the altercation begin in the parking lot and continue between two apartment buildings before ending near the tree line behind one of the buildings.
The victim was able to contact a ride and make his way back home before going unconscious. Officers on scene observed several lacerations to the victim’s head as well as a large amount of blood. He was initially treated by Abbeville County EMS before being airlifted to Greenville to receive treatment for his injuries.
Deputy Solicitor Micah Black and Deputy Solicitor Yates Brown handled the case for the state, with assistance from 8th Circuit Investigator Chris Wilkie and 8th Circuit Victim Advocate Sarah Parris. Kendrick Lee was represented by Charles Grose and Travis Lee was represented by Jamison Tinsley, both attorneys of the Greenwood Bar.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff, along with the Abbeville Police Department, in securing the conviction.
“This is a perfect example of why we cannot allow vigilante justice to take place,” Solicitor Stumbo said. “We have a victim who was senselessly and severely beaten based on some flimsy gossip on the streets. I am pleased to see these two off our streets, and we will be strongly advocating for the life sentences in a few weeks at the next court hearing.”