Deputies: Suspect apparently victim’s live-in girlfriend
Last Modified: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 1:22 a.m.
A Samaritan unknowingly gave a murder suspect a ride to the Pacolet area Friday night, then helped deputies locate the 25-year-old woman.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies arrested Pamela Marie Teal less than three hours after 911 was called to 821 Patterson Road, a rural area south of Cowpens and east of Clifton. Paramedics and deputies were dispatched about 5:10 p.m.
Sheriff Chuck Wright said Teal was arrested near Pacolet, several miles from the crime scene, without incident. Investigators took her to the sheriff’s office for an interview and then to Spartanburg County jail. Deputies signed a warrant charging Teal with murder.
“The officers that responded to secure this scene and locate the suspect are a great crew,” Wright said.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as James Gaylon Moore, 35, after notifying his next of kin.
Wright said Moore apparently was stabbed to death by his live-in girlfriend. Wright said, from initial investigation, deputies believe the couple had been drinking alcohol and got into an argument about money. The argument escalated, Wright said, because Teal might have another boyfriend in Pacolet.
Wright said Teal left the area on foot, and an elderly lady saw her walking and gave her a ride to the Pacolet area.
“She saw someone she believed needed some help,” Wright said.
Kevin Biggerstaff, whose girlfriend is Teal’s stepsister, told the Herald-Journal that he heard Teal and Moore were taken to Gaffney to cash his check, then went to a liquor store in Cowpens and bought a case of beer. Biggerstaff said the couple had argued in the past.
Wright said DSS recently had taken custody of Teal’s children, and Teal and Moore had moved in with relatives at the Patterson Road house. The home was on an otherwise quiet street, with neighbors’ dogs freely roaming, a rooster crowing and insects chirping louder as night advanced.
Further details, such as specifics on the murder weapon, were not released because the investigation had just begun.
Wright said “there are so many other ways to solve disputes” instead of violence.
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