A Lexington County jury convicted Scott M. Horton of murder in late June. Circuit Court Judge Debra R. McCaslin sentenced him on Thursday to 45 years in prison without parole.
The 59-year-old Horton was found guilty of beating his common-law wife, 56-year-old Patricia Smerdell, to death at their home on Wynnsum Trail in Lexington. The attack occurred on June 19, 2020.
Horton called 911 the next morning and initially told deputies he had found Smerdell unresponsive upon returning from work. He said he placed a blanket over her and left her on the floor overnight. His account later became inconsistent about when he discovered her injuries.
An autopsy by Dr. Angelina Phillips at the Medical University of South Carolina documented more than 30 blunt force injuries. The pathologist ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and the manner as homicide. Prosecutors noted the couple were the only occupants and there were no signs of forced entry.
During sentencing, Smerdell's family presented photographs and memories of her as a mother, sister, and business professional. The couple had a documented history of disputes, with law enforcement responding to the home in 2017 and 2018.