Son is charged with murder in slaying of criminal defense lawyer
A well-known lawyer in York County, South Carolina, has allegedly been killed by his son. This is the third time in five years that lawyers in York County have been killed, and a loved one suspected.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies said Oshyn Cyrus Hinton, 47, was fatally shot in the back of the head on Sunday at his home in Spartanburg, reports the Herald. His son, Osiris Hinton, 23, has been charged with murder.
The defendant told deputies, “I killed my father! I killed my father!” when they arrived at the family’s home around 7 p.m., a sheriff’s report says. It isn’t clear what sparked the situation.
Hinton, who was also well-known as a criminal defense lawyer in Chester and Lancaster counties, was remembered by shocked colleagues both for his abilities as a lawyer and for his character.
“The guy was a prince, a gentleman, a tough lawyer in the courtroom and a great guy outside the courtroom,” said deputy 16th Circuit public defender B.J. Barrowclough. “This is like a punch right in the gut.”
Attorney Twana Burris-Alcide, who formerly served as president of the York County Bar Association, said Hinton was “one of our brightest,” and also known for his work as a mentor to young men.
“He cared about his clients. He wanted to make a difference, and he did,” she said.
After earning his law degree at the University of Richmond, Hinton worked as a lawyer advocating for neglected and abused children and as a public defender before going into private practice.
“Cyrus was dedicated to making sure all people were treated fairly from the start,” said Harry Dest, the 16th Circuit’s chief public defender. “This was a man who, right from day one, we all knew was going to have a great career.”
Two other well-known lawyers in York County, Michael Howe and Melvin Roberts, were killed by current or former girlfriends in recent years.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “PD for Girlfriend Charged in Lawyer’s Slaying Says His Home Had Bullet Holes from Earlier Shootings”
Updated at 5:19 p.m. to adjust the wording of the lede.
