The murder trial is underway of an alleged gang member, accused of fatally shooting a city councilman in Chester, South Carolina. The shooting put a spotlight on Chester as a small town with a large gang problem.
The trial involves 19-year-old Christopher Moore, accused of the murder of 69-year-old Odell Williams, a Chester City Councilman and former police officer. The trial, which started this week, was moved 25 miles to Winnsboro, South Carolina because of pre-trial publicity.
According to law enforcement, in 2014, Williams received a call from his wife about a truckload of men with guns near their home and business. Williams pursued the truck. Prosecutors say Moore, a member of Chester’s Round Tree Circle Gang, jumped from the truck into a ditch, and fired a hail of bullets at Williams, fatally shooting him in the head. The defense claims that Councilman Williams fired at the truck and that Moore returned fire in self defense. Police have not corroborated that allegation.
