Iva, SC Man Gets Life Without Parole in Lavonia Murder Case
Life without parole plus 20 years.
That was the sentence handed down Wednesday morning by Superior Court Judge John Bailey to 31-year old Caleb Fielding.
Fielding was convicted in November in the October 2011 beating death of 87-year old Jack Vaughn of Lavonia.
Bailey sentenced Fielding to life without parole on the charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Armed Robbery. He sentenced Fielding to 20 years on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Burglary and Aggravated Battery.
Before the sentence was handed down, Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White called Vaughn’s sons and widow to the stand.
Jack Vaughn Junior told the court his father’s murder had, “destroyed his mother’s life.”
Vaughn said his mother, Dorothy Vaughn still suffers physically and emotionally from the trauma of that day when Fielding showed up at their home on Bartson St. in Lavonia demanding they hand over their prescription drugs.
In a prepared statement, Vaughn told Fielding, “I pray to God for your soul, but at this point I can’t forgive you and don’t know that I ever will….Every October 20th I hope that someone in your family will remember what you did that day.”
Vaughn said anyone who would hurt two elderly people in their 80s is a constant threat to society and should not be given parole.
“Anyone willing to attack an 87 and 88 –year old person is a constant threat,” he said.
“I didn’t do it,” Fielding interjected during Vaughn’s statement.
Dorothy Vaughn also testified before the sentencing.
Wheeled to the front of the court, a frail woman who has lost most of the use of one hand because of the attack, told the court she relives the events of that day every night.
“I wake up and see him,” she said. “No one will ever know what he put us through. No matter what happens to him (Fielding) it won’t bring back my husband.”
Fielding’s father, Freddie Fielding, testified his son was a good boy who got involved with drugs at an early age.
He said his son began smoking pot at age 13 and then later began taking Loritabs and other prescription drugs.
The elder Fielding said while he was aware of the his son’s prior criminal history in South Carolina, he said Caleb was not violent and should be given the opportunity of parole.
“He got into some trouble, but he was never violent. What they say he did just doesn’t add up,” Fielding’s father told the judge.
Fielding said his son had gotten saved a month after being arrested and he believed he had been rehabilitated.
“I talk to him every night and have for 18 months. He has remorse for what he’s done and I believe 100% he can be rehabilitated. All he talks about is the Lord,” Fielding’s father said.
Caleb Fielding’s attorney Jim Smith told the court his client should have the opportunity of parole after serving 30 years.
“In this case, it’s clear my client does not have a history of violence,” Smith said. “All psychological evidence indicated my client does not need to be isolated from society.”
However, in his closing arguments, White said the violence was clear cut.
“There are murders and then there are murders,” White said. “This is the kind everyone dreads, an attack on the elderly.”
In handing down the sentence, Judge Bailey told Fielding he was “disturbed” by Fielding’s aberrant behavior given he had shown no violent tendencies in previous crimes, but he said the jury spelled out their decision to convict on all counts with specificity.
“Nobody made you smoke pot, nobody made you take Loritab, that was your choice and it lead you to be here today,” Judge Bailey said. “You have not only ruined the Vaughn’s lives, but the lives your own family, including your wife and baby and you will have to live with that.”
Jack Vaughn Jr. said he was satisfied with the sentence and thanked local law enforcement and the GBI for their help in making the arrest.
Fielding will serve the charges concurrently. After the sentence, Fielding made no statement and showed no emotion as he was led from the courtroom.