Bradley Family Gets Guilty Verdict, Wants Body To Bury
An Allendale man may spend the rest of his life in jail for the murder of 17-year-old Ericka Bradley. Thursday night, a jury found 20-year-old Dereck Maner guilty of her death.
WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe spoke with Bradley’s family, Friday, who says, still, with no body to bury, the verdict is bittersweet.
Published: February 13, 2009
Allendale, SC—It ends where it all started…
17-year-old Ericka Bradley left work, in November of 2006. Witnesses say she ended up in front of the courthouse, in an argument with her boyfriend, and son’s father, Dereck Maner.
It was the last time she was seen alive.
Jackie Bradley, Ericka Bradley’s Mother: “Very good Mom, very independent too.“
The entire town turned out to help look, but her body was never found.
Annie Wright, Bradley’s Grandmother: “I don’t think there was a person in Allendale who wasn’t concerned about this case and what happened to Ericka.”
Cherry Jones, Allendale, SC: “It’s been the biggest talk in Allendale, and it’s been going on a long time.“
Maner was named as a suspect, and this week, put on trial for murder. Thursday night, he was found guilty.
J. Bradley: “It lifted a big burden off me, I know that much and I’m glad the judge did what he did, because he deserved it, because he didn’t have to do what he did.“
Jones: “But I think the worst part about it, both sides lost a family member.“
Now, the family’s attention will turn away from the past two years, towards the couple’s son Ty, now 2 year’s old.
Wright: “One day, I don’t know how we’re going to sit down and tell him, because I’m sure he’s going to sit down and ask questions about his mother. One day, and I pray that when we get to that point, it won’t be a rough time for him.“
Jones: “He lost his mother, and father. Which one? He isn’t going to know either one of them now.“
The Thanksgiving after Ericka disappeared, her family left a place at the table for her. This year, they plan to let Ty fill in.
J. Bradley: “At least he can take her spot at the table. I’ll be able to raise him, and take care of him like she would want me to do.“
Bradley says she is now sharing custody of Ty with Dereck Maner’s parents. They go back to court next month; Bradley is asking for full custody.
It is not over yet for the Bradley family. Johnathan Capps is accused of helping Derek Maner cover the crime, and is charged with accessory after the fact. He will go to trial as well, but that date has not been set yet.
The Allendale Sheriff tells this is the first time in Allendale County a guilty verdict has been reached without a body being found. It’s believed to only be the second time this has happened in South Carolina’s history.
We were unable to reach anyone in the Maner family for comment.
http://www.wjbf.com/jbf/news/state_regional/south_carolina/article/bradley_family_gets_guilty_verdict_wants_body_to_bury/10974/