Tammy Sue Chapman
A former Claxton woman is facing a first-degree murder charge for her alleged role in the death of a 79-year-old man whose body was found hidden underneath an apartment staircase on Patt Lane two years ago.
Tammy Sue Chapman, 45, was indicted on the murder charge by an Anderson County grand jury on Feb. 4. She was arrested Friday.
She and her boyfriend Norman Lee Follis Jr., 50, both now face the first-degree murder charge.
The victim, Sammie J. Adams, 79, of Patt Lane in Claxton, was Follis’ uncle.
Norman Lee Follis Jr.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department announced it was charging Follis with first-degree murder on Jan. 25, 2012, after an investigation found Adams’ body hidden underneath a staircase inside his apartment. Adams had ben reported missing a few days earlier, on Jan. 22, 2012, authorities said.
One count of the Feb. 4, 2014, grand jury indictments alleged that Follis and Chapman “unlawfully, intentionally, and with premeditation” killed Adams between Dec. 5, 2011, and Jan. 24, 2012.
Chapman was initially charged with being an accessory after the fact and theft of more than $500 in the case related to Adams’ death, but authorities said then that more charges could be filed as the investigation continued.
A second count from the Feb. 4 grand jury indictments charged Follis and Chapman with theft of more than $1,000. It alleged that the couple obtained a 1997 Mercury Marquis owned by Adams, as well as the keys to his home, without his permission.
Chapman still has an accessory after the fact charge. The Feb. 4 indictments said she harbored Follis and helped him avoid arrest between Dec. 5, 2011, and Jan. 24, 2012.
Chapman remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Monday afternoon. Her total bond has been set at $1 million.
Follis has remained jailed since his arrest on Jan. 25, 2012. His total bond has also been set at $1 million.
Patt Lane is off Raccoon Valley Road across Clinton Highway from Edgemoor Road.
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