Mykell “A.J.” Lerch, a 25 year old Lexington County man, was sentenced earlier today to 18 years in prison for the asphyxiation of Mark Alexander Zeigler. Zeigler was killed at his residence in West Columbia in 2013. The trial began on Monday and during the middle of the trial, Lerch entered his plea to Voluntary Manslaughter. This charge is a “no parole” offense in South Carolina.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Assistant Solicitor Bradley Pogue. Solicitor Rick Hubbard remarked, “This was a difficult case and we are pleased with the outcome. The victim’s wife is pleased with the result as well. This case was based largely on circumstantial evidence and crime scene reconstruction.”

Information obtained by the West Columbia Police Department (WCPD) during the homicide investigation revealed that Zeigler was killed by Lerch during the early morning hours of August 1, 2013. Lerch and Zeigler were the only persons present at the residence at the time of Zeigler’s death. Lerch was a guest in Zeigler’s home and the two had been acquainted for several months. Following the homicide, Lerch maintained that he killed Zeigler in self-defense during an altercation.

At trial, the State offered evidence regarding blood pattern analysis by Steven Derrick, a renowned crime scene expert and former senior special agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Derrick provided testimony regarding blood spatter on a glass table in the den area of the home which confirmed that a physical assault preceded the asphyxiation. Additional testimony from a forensic pathologist determined that Zeigler was strangled by Lerch for a period of three to five minutes while incapacitated on the floor.

WCPD PFC Chris Yarborough arrived at the scene at approximately 6:36 am and discovered Zeigler’s body. Yarborough documented the condition of the scene with photographs which were essential at trial. Former WCPD Investigator James Sullivan, also at the scene, credited CSI Sgt. Charles Bramlett for his work in the investigation. Bramlett, a veteran of the WCPD, passed away in 2015 due to an unexpected heart attack. Sullivan stated, “A reconstruction of the glass table from the crime scene by Sgt. Bramlett was instrumental in the case.”

Assistant Solicitor Pogue stated, “We appreciate all of the law enforcement officers that were responsible for securing and investigating the crime scene.”