Bond denied for man, teen in murder of Bennettsville woman

Marlboro County, S.C. (WPDE) — A Circuit Court Judge denied bond this week for Quennel Jones, 28, and a 16-year-old boy on charges of murder, burglary first degree, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and criminal conspiracy in the death of 23-year-old Verkina Lasharelle Townsend, according to officials with the Fourth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

We're not releasing the teen's name because he's a minor, but deputies said he's being charged as an adult.

Lt. Trevor Murphy with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office said Townsend was shot and killed back on April 15 at a home on Windham Street in Bennettsville during an apparent home invasion.

Officers with Bennettsville Police Department and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) initially worked the investigation and processed the crime scene.

Murphy added Bennettsville police contacted Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon and asked the Sheriff’s Office to move forward with this investigation, which led to the arrests.

Jones is also charged with two additional counts of burglary and one count of pointing and presenting a firearm.

The 16-year-old is also charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and unlawful carry of a pistol.

Jones is being held at the Marlboro County Detention Center.

The 16-year-old is in the custody of the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.