The brother of a North Augusta man charged with the 2014 shooting death of 30-year-old Tamar Howard Stewart asked for forgiveness before his brother was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.
Jerome Sullivan, 34, of the 600 block of Hutchinson Drive, pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, according to court records.
Judge Doyet A. Early III sentenced Sullivan to 35 years for the murder and five years for the weapons charge. The sentences will run concurrently.
“I never meant for none of this to happen," Sullivan said. "I’m sorry.”
On March 23, 2014, officers with the Aiken Department of Public Safety responded around 1 a.m. to 125 Bennington Lane in reference to a male, identified as Stewart, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton pronounced Stewart dead at the scene.
Solicitors explained in court Monday the mother of Sullivan’s child was living at the home on Bennington Lane, and on March 23, 2014. Stewart was visiting her when Sullivan showed up with a gun and was in a rage.
According to police, Sullivan shoved his way into the house and found Stewart hiding in a closet. Sullivan then shot Stewart in the head before fleeing the scene in a white Cadillac, police reported.
Police reported Sullivan was seen driving down Pine Log Road shortly after the incident, where he was pulled over.
Sullivan remained in the Aiken County detention center up until his court appearance Monday.
“(Sullivan) had a chance to walk away and he came back,” said Howard Page, Stewart's father. “He brought that gun because he was looking for something that night. Now, I’ve got a son I’ll never see again. I think he should get life. He had no mercy for my son, so I’ve got no mercy for him.”
Sullivan's brother, Chris, said he hopes one day Stewart's family can forgive his brother.
“I’m so sorry for what happened,” Chris said. “My brother is not a bad person. Please have mercy on my brother. One day I hope you can forgive him."
