Prosecutors build case against New York man in Hardeeville double murder trial

by Aaron Dixon

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Prosecutors continued to piece together their case against Charles Saunders this week as a jury hears testimony in a double murder trial stemming from a deadly 2024 incident in Hardeeville.

Saunders stands accused of shooting and killing Bernard Lyles and Alesia Dykes in July 2024. The prosecution argues the killings were intentional, while the defense maintains Saunders acted in self-defense.

An Emotional Opening

Day two of the trial opened with emotional testimony from a family member. Shawonna Dykes, sister to victim Alesia Dykes and mother of one of Saunders’ children, recounted a chilling moment when her nephew told her about the shootings.

“My sweetie came to me and said, ‘Iz shot momma and Boo Boo too,’” Dykes testified, describing when the child told her that Saunders had shot her sister and Bernard Lyles.

The Incident

According to police, the fatal shootings occurred at an apartment in Hardeeville following a fight between Saunders and the two victims that started outside the building.

The specifics of what triggered the fight remain contested in court.

Defense attorney Jennifer Bouley questioned first responders and investigators throughout the proceeding, probing whether authorities could determine who initiated the conflict.

“You weren’t able to access whether there was any kind of struggle that happened in the house? ‘No, Ma’am,’” Bouley asked during cross-examination, suggesting gaps in the investigation that could support a self-defense narrative.

Prosecution’s Evidence

The state’s case relies heavily on surveillance footage, evidence gathered through the investigation, and social media posts.

Video evidence shows Saunders leaving the home after the shooting, walking through Jasper County, discarding his shirt, and eventually getting into a car. He was later arrested near a Waffle House in Ridgeland, where he had been dropped off.

In addition to the surveillance evidence, prosecutors introduced controversial Facebook posts made by Saunders the night before the murders. Though the defense contested the authenticity of these posts, the judge ultimately approved their admission.

Solicitor Trasi Campbell of the 14th Circuit argued that the posts were critical to establishing Saunders’ state of mind.

“The state of mind of the defendant as it interacts with malice is absolutely something the state should be able to address in their case,” Campbell stated.