Hampton man found guilty of murder in 2021 missing persons case; Sentenced to 40 years behind bars

HAMPTON, S.C. (WTOC) - A Hampton County jury on Thursday convicted a man of murder.

Kyisimm Jerod Williams, 27, of Hampton, was found guilty in the shooting death of Michael Kirkland, 31, of Hampton County.

Following the guilty verdict, Circuit Court Judge Marvin Dukes sentenced Williams to 40 years behind bars.

“Given the brutality of the killing, there is no doubt that Hampton County and the surrounding communities are safer with this defendant behind bars,” Prosecutor for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Reed Evans said. “A just verdict has been rendered.”

Background of Case:

On March 10, 2021, police say Kirkland’s mother reported her son missing.

Later that day, investigators found Kirkland’s body off Huggin Oak Plantation Road, a rural area of Hampton County near Varnville. Investigators say Kirkland had been shot at least 20 times in the neck, torso, and upper body.

The Trial:

During the four-day trial, investigators testified that neither the place where Kirkland’s body was found nor his new home in Early Branch was the shooting location.

The solicitor’s office says various expert witnesses testified that a truck known to be driven by the defendant was found riddled with bullet holes and missing its backseat, and that gunshot residue and the victim’s DNA were detected inside.

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