SC

Greenville “Castle Killing” – The Victim

MORE QUESTIONS RAISED IN HIGH-PROFILE UPSTATE SHOOTING … It’s been a little over a week since this website became the first news outlet in South Carolina to identify the individual who pulled the trigger in the Greenville “Castle Killing.” His name?  Allen Stephenson. A wealthy young businessman, Stephenson is the…

MORE QUESTIONS RAISED IN HIGH-PROFILE UPSTATE SHOOTING …

It’s been a little over a week since this website became the first news outlet in South Carolina to identify the individual who pulled the trigger in the Greenville “Castle Killing.”

His name?  Allen Stephenson.

A wealthy young businessman, Stephenson is the founder of the Southern Tide apparel company – which specializes in outfitting fraternity and sorority types.  Deeply connected in Greenville, he lives on a sprawling $2 million, thirty-acre estate located on the south slope of Paris Mountain.

The property is known for its historic, 5,400-square foot “castle” – originally built in 1902 for a German baroness hoping to recapture the aura of similar structures built along the river Rhine.

In fact here’s a picture taken from the porch of the property …

(Click to enlarge)

IMG_4552

Now the estate is known for something else …

At around 9:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday March 19, a 32-year-old man by the name of Matthew Whitman was fatally shot on the property – by Stephenson.

For whatever reason (we’ll have more to say on this in future stories), Stephenson’s name was not released by authorities or mentioned in local media accounts following the incident.

Anyway, what happened that morning?  According to Stephenson’s attorney Sloan Ellis – who thus far has offered the only public narrative of the shooting – Whitman was trespassing and received repeated warnings from Stephenson to leave the property.  After refusing these warnings, Ellis claims Whitman became “hostile,” allegedly attacking Stephenson with a knife.

That left Stephenson with “no alternative but to defend himself with his shotgun.”

If true, that would make this an open and shut case of self-defense.

But is it true? 

We’re now ten days removed from the shooting and the Greenville county sheriff’s office is still investigating the incident.  Stephenson has yet to be cleared.  Lawyers have gotten involved on behalf of the Whitman family (including noted Upstate attorney David Price and the Columbia, S.C.-based firm of Rikard and Protopapas).  And of course there have been some very interesting leaks in the case.

With more promised …

One question that hasn’t really been asked (or answered)?  Who is Whitman?

Or rather, who was he?

Sources close to the case tell Whitman was a nature lover who enjoyed hiking in wooded areas of the Upstate and taking pictures of “the natural beauty surrounding Greenville.”

Recently unemployed, Whitman lived in a mobile home with his mother (who has Parkinson’s) and his grandmother.

(Click to enlarge)

Matthew Whitman

(Pic provided)

According to those who knew him, Whitman had “no criminal record and no history of the kind of behavior that has been asserted by (Stephenson’s) attorney.”

In other words, there seem to be legitimate questions as to whether Whitman in fact behaved in the manner described by Stephenson’s attorney.

There are also fresh questions about the forensic evidence in the case.  So far, police have released no information related to the details of the shooting – and the Greenville coroner has only confirmed that Whitman was shot in the torso.

According to our sources, though, Whitman was “shot at least three times” by Stephenson – who was armed with what’s commonly referred to as a “riot gun,” or a shotgun featuring a shorter barrel and larger magazine than a hunting shotgun.

One of those wounds was reportedly to Whitman’s face …

We’re not accusing Stephenson of having done anything wrong at this point – and obviously our support of the second amendment, the “Castle Doctrine” and “Stand Your Ground” laws has been made abundantly clear over the years.  Hell, we’ve even advocated for civil disobedience of unconstitutional “gun control” legislation.

Having said that, the version of events offered by Stephenson’s attorney is clearly not the only narrative likely to emerge from this incident – which puts the Upstate’s prosecutorial and political establishment in a very difficult position given their proximity to the man who pulled the trigger.

Stay tuned … much more to come on this case.

***

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36 comments

CNSYD March 30, 2016 at 10:20 am

“We’re not accusing Stephenson of having done anything wrong at this point”.
But you can bet your bottom dollar that Folks will keep bringing up this “story” over and over.

Just as with the Hammond case, the ambulance chaser “attorneys” see a person, in lieu of a municipality, with deep pockets and they use the judicial system to extort money out of him to get them to go away. When the pot gets right they will relent and vanish with their 40% cut of the pot.

Folks profits also by touting hits on his site. Also it allows him to continue to skewer any and all things governmental as incompetent, shady, etc.

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Goobersmacker March 30, 2016 at 11:28 am

You’re right. Rich people should always be allowed to kill poor people without any consequences.

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CNSYD March 30, 2016 at 11:33 am

I didn’t realize that you were an eyewitness to the events. Have you spoken with LE yet? Will you be called on to testify?

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 10:23 am

Nothing new to report but yet you do? Lot more hits can come from the trailer park smackdown event on the river by the zoo the other day. Young girls, violence, and bikinis, a trifecta.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis March 30, 2016 at 10:42 am

More details, pics, please.

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Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 11:01 am

Kept waiting for a wardrobe malfunction, to no avail!

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shifty henry March 30, 2016 at 12:07 pm

I couldn’t open the video…

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 12:25 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXr8Yi-8NAM

The Readers Digest version.

shifty henry March 30, 2016 at 2:26 pm

thanks — vicious gals!

Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 2:42 pm

I think they should charge the imbeciles standing around doing nothing, with accessory.

Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 6:07 pm

I used to kayak or tube there pretty often. First time I went, it was a beautiful sunny day in early March, and I almost killed my family with hypothermia. I didn’t realize just how damn cold that water is. It warms up somewhat when it confluences with the Broad River. Last couple of times I went it was white trash-a-poloozers in the south area of the zoo which is where I think this was filmed. It is a shame how people can ruin a good time. The Cops were hiding in the woods on the west bank and busting people smoking weed or throwing glass bottles. I mostly take the run on the Catawba in Rock Hill. Easier to avoid other people who might be undesirable.

Flip March 30, 2016 at 10:24 am

Give Folks a break guys, at least this isn’t another Southern Charm article.

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HD March 30, 2016 at 10:53 am

I guess Stephenson always has his pics taken with firearms, and Whitman with babies. Interesting.

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Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 11:26 am

I won’t hold my breath for the photos of Whitman displaying his lust for sharp bladed weapons to surface.

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Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 10:55 am

One thing seems to be coming to light, this guy Stephenson really enjoys being photographed going PEWPEW! I find it really hard to believe that a man armed only with a knife, saw the homeowner with a shotgun and decided to escalate the situation.

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mamatiger92 March 30, 2016 at 11:08 am

I’d be willing to bet that he is overcompensating for a “shortcoming” of some sort.

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Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 11:11 am

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy shooting, but you would never see me gratuitously posing with my guns. It’s sort of pathetic.

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mamatiger92 March 30, 2016 at 11:16 am

exactly

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mamatiger92 March 30, 2016 at 12:04 pm

He probably think it looks sexy, when in reality it just looks desperate & creepy.

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 11:13 am

Mama, does Mr. Mama own any weapons? Have you ever tried any shooting? Be careful, you may get hooked.

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mamatiger92 March 30, 2016 at 11:15 am

Sorry for any confusion. I know how to shoot, as does my husband. I am referring to Stephenson’s need to be photographed with guns.

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 11:18 am

Non-range pictures can be seen as obnoxiously silly, I agree. I have done one as a joke with bandoleers and my tactical shotgun before, but that is the exception not the rule.

Bible Thumper March 30, 2016 at 1:05 pm

When you get arrested, Fits will be sure to post it. Hope you are wearing a shirt.

CorruptionInColumbia March 30, 2016 at 11:46 am

Not saying you’re wrong on this but people do really stupid shit, such as attacking or approaching others armed with firearms. It does happen.

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Fecal Matters March 30, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Granted, just doesn’t seem like something someone with NO criminal record would do.

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ted March 30, 2016 at 11:03 am

Is Stephenson gay? Was Whitman gay? Weren’t they the same age?

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CorruptionInColumbia March 30, 2016 at 11:42 am

What does age have to do with it? Could be a “May – December” thing.

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 6:08 pm

Or rich-poor.

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Rocky Verdad March 30, 2016 at 11:06 am

Why does the Southern Tide guy always post gun photos? I mean, no chicks, but lots of guns.

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CorruptionInColumbia March 30, 2016 at 11:37 am

Reasons why guns are better than women:

They don’t get jealous because you hold another gun.

They don’t get mad when you bring a new gun home.

They don’t spend major amounts of money without at least discussing it with you.

Their relatives don’t come for lengthy visits.

Reasons guns aren’t as good as women:

No meat curtains. :-(

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Tazmaniac March 30, 2016 at 11:47 am

Been having a serious jones for a EAA Windicator lately. In .357.

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CorruptionInColumbia March 30, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Okay, I had to look that one up. Believe it or not, I never heard of it before.

This may be a little disheartening for you. Found it while doing a search.

“Features: Alloy Frame See State Restrictions, Blue Finish, Double Action / Single Action Revolver, Hammer Block Safety, Nickel Finish, Rubber Grip, Steel Frame, Six Round Capacity, *Can not sell SC, WI, IL, or any other state with melt down point laws.”

Does SC still have that silly law? I thought they got rid of it in the 80’s so SLED could legally purchase Glocks. How do they sell guns like my Smith .38 Airweight? WTH?

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Rocky Verdad March 30, 2016 at 12:44 pm

Yeah!!!!!

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bj March 30, 2016 at 11:25 am

Isn’t it true that Southern Tide brought a new CEO on board awhile back?

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Yep March 30, 2016 at 6:32 pm

Law enforcement is probably checking old Craigslist postings or Grindr profiles.

Reply

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