A man from Spartanburg was sentenced to 17 years in prison after admitting to shooting an acquaintance last March.
Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office spokesman Murray Glenn said that Jared Vincent Directo, 28, of Spartanburg, pled guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Circuit Court Judge R. Lawton McIntosh sentenced Directo to 20 years in prison, but suspended the sentence to 17 years and five years probation.
Directo admitted to shooting 33-year old Bennie Skates Jr. on March 25 at his home on Skyline Drive. According to investigators, the bullet entered Skates upper back and lodged in his neck.
During the course of the investigation, witnesses reported seeing Directo and Skates argue prior to the shooting. Following the shooting, Directo fled the scene and was later arrested at a relative's home in Roebuck. The weapon used was found inside the relative's home.
Glenn said that when deputies questioned Directo he initially denied firing the gun, but changed his statement when he was told that it did not match the evidence. Directo then said that he accidentally fired the weapon.
Directo has a prior criminal record that includes receiving stolen goods, forgery and driving without a driver's license.
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