Man sentenced in 2015 Greenville County murder/arson cold case.
Just over 9 years ago, Deputies investigated the death of Cecil Sanders “Sandy” Morris of 20 Michael Drive. He was found inside his burning home, shot to death.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office said the suspect, Jason Travis Merrill, killed Morris sometime between October 11-15, 2015 then returned to the victims home days later and set it ablaze.
Surveillance video showed the suspect driving the victim’s vehicle, returning to the residence and leaving several hours later on October 30, 2015. A glove found at the crime scene contained both Merrill's DNA and the victim's. "Autopsy findings revealed that [Morris] was shot twice in the back of the neck before later being set on fire."
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Jason Merrill pled guilty to Murder and Arson 2nd Degree and was sentenced to 35 years in the SC Department of Corrections. Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Cox with the Cold Case Unit investigated the case.