Caitlin Richards

Anchor/Reporter at WPDE TV 15

Articles

Defendant chooses not to testify in 2020 murder trial; state rests case

1 week ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The Meagan Jackson trial is continuing on Tuesday morning. Her co-defendant, Christopher Dontell, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to criminal conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact. Meagan Marie Jackson, Christopher Allen Dontell (Credit: JRLDC)The state rested their case as soon as the jury was brought in on Tuesday just after 9:30 a.m., when judge told state they could bring in their first witness.
Trial continues, evidence shown for woman charged in 2020 murder

2 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The trial has started on the second day for the woman charged in the 2020 murder of Gregory Rice. Meagan Marie Jackson, Christopher Allen Dontell (Credit: JRLDC)The first witness of the day was Reggie Hotaling, a Marion County Sheriff's Office detective on the case. Bullets were collected from the day the investigation began, and Marion County officials turned them back over to Horry County. Sergeant Skellett, an Horry County Police Dept.
Day 1: Opening statements in Meagan Jackson 2020 murder trial

2 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — It's the first official day of the trail for the woman charged in the 2020 murder of Gregory Rice. Meagan Marie Jackson, Christopher Allen Dontell (Credit: JRLDC)Once the jury was brought in the courtroom just after 10 a.m., Leigh Waller, a state prosecutor set the scene of the night of Gregory Rice’s murder to the jury. She said that Meagan Jackson was having an affair on Rice with Christopher Dontell around the time of Rice’s murder.
'Best of the best': CCU celebrates Omaha-bound success with fans on campus

2 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The Chanticleers received a loud welcome as they returned to Coastal Carolina University. The team came home with pride, knowing they're bound for Omaha to compete in the Men's College World Series. Fans and families gathered outside Brooks Stadium, greeting the team with cheers and posters after their impressive 4-1 victory over the fourth-ranked Auburn Tigers. The Chanticleers received a loud welcome as they returned to Coastal Carolina University.
2 people taken to hospital after overnight shooting, police say to avoid area

3 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

Sun, June 8th 2025 at 5:41 AMUpdated Sun, June 8th 2025 at 5:43 AMHorry County Police Dept. patrol car at Nichols fire on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Credit: Seth Herlinger/WPDE)Horry County Police are investigating a shooting that happened early Sunday morning in the Myrtle Beach area of unincorporated Horry County. Police said the shooting happened just after midnight along Waccamaw Boulevard. Two people have been taken to the hospital with injuries.
Pilots to the Rescue flies animals from South Carolina to new beginnings in NJ and PA

3 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — In a bid to alleviate overcrowding in local animal shelters, a rescue operation is transporting nearly 30 animals from the North Myrtle Beach Airport to new homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The initiative involves animals from the Horry County Animal Care Center, Williamsburg Animal Care and Control, and Saint Frances Animal Center. "In our area here in South Carolina, what we are doing is not working.
Trial Day 2 for suspect in 2023 deadly Planet Fitness shooting

3 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

Abdullah Seifullah was in court on Tuesday for the 2023 Planet Fitness Shooting in Carolina Forest. (Credit: Caitlin Richards/WPDE)
Suspect in 2023 deadly Planet Fitness shooting to begin trial

3 weeks ago | abcnews4.com | Caroline Surface |Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The trial for one of the suspects arrested in the deadly 2023 Carolina Forest Planet Fitness shooting happened on Tuesday. Abdullah Seifullah, 45, was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to booking records. According to officials, Huertas pleaded guilty last week in connection with the shooting incident. His sentence will be confirmed at a later date.
Surf Dreams Foundation introduces kids to surfing for free in Surfside Beach

3 weeks ago | abcnews4.com | Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Over 90 children took to the waves at Surfside Beach on Sunday. "Take a Kid Surfing Day" was organized by the Surf Dreams Foundation and held on 13th Avenue South. The goal was to teach children how to surf while fostering friendships and family connections. Philip Jackson, the executive director of the Surf Dreams Foundation, said the organization was founded in 2013 with the mission of getting kids into the water and sharing the love of surfing.
Surf Dreams Foundation introduces kids to surfing for free in Surfside Beach

3 weeks ago | wpde.com | Caitlin Richards

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Over 90 children took to the waves at Surfside Beach on Sunday. "Take a Kid Surfing Day" was organized by the Surf Dreams Foundation and held on 13th Avenue South. The goal was to teach children how to surf while fostering friendships and family connections. Philip Jackson, the executive director of the Surf Dreams Foundation, said the organization was founded in 2013 with the mission of getting kids into the water and sharing the love of surfing.