Four charged in Latta assault, lynching case

Three Latta men and a juvenile are charged in connection with an assault that happened earlier this week, Latta police reports show.

Two black 18-year-olds — Christopher Lamar Davis and Gina Mae Monroe — were walking near Henry Street on Monday night when a large truck approached them and four white males inside began yelling racial and sexual slurs, the report shows.

The driver of the truck drove past the couple four times, according to the report. On the third pass, those in the truck threw oranges at the couple, striking the woman in the back.

On the fourth and final pass, driver the turned off his headlights, keeping only the fog lights of the truck on. The victims told police they though the driver was trying to run over them, the report shows.

Police were called to Latta High School on Tuesday after the man told to a teacher and the school’s principal about the incident.

Officers questioned and later arrested 17-year-old Player Reese Aston, of 818 Bethea St. Ext., who they said was driving the vehicle.

They also arrested 19-year-old Jacob Edward Richardson, of 875 S.C. 917 East; 18-year-old Patrick Westberry, of 200 Holly St.; and a 16-year-old.

All four are charged with two counts of assault of a high and aggravated nature and second-degree lynching, reports show.