A 79-year-old former associate psychology professor at Clemson University is accused of killing his wife by shooting her in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun during a “verbal altercation” that he later said “just got out of hand.” He has been released from jail before his trial, Law&Crime confirmed.
Edwin Brainerd, Jr. was arrested on July 2 on murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime charge after Sally Brainerd, 74, was shot and killed in her bedroom at her Harpers Way home in Anderson, South Carolina, late the night before.
Early this morning, deputies and detectives were called to Harpers Way in Anderson for a report of a shooting with injuries. “When deputies got there, they found the victim in her home and started saving her life right away,” the police said. “Unfortunately, by the time EMS got there, the victim had already died from her injuries.”
Greenville News said that a daughter who ran to a neighbor’s house made the 911 call.
Many new facts have come to light about the murder suspect since then. He also didn’t stay quiet about the case when he was asked if he had anything to say at his release hearing.
According to warrants that Law&Crime received when police arrived at the murder scene, Brainerd was standing over the body of the victim and said, “He shot her.” He is said to have shot his wife in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun before midnight, “during a verbal altercation.”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Things got too bad. In court, Brainerd later said, “I’m so sorry,” as shown on a video shown by the local Fox station WHNS. “I wish I had been the one hit by that.” I really didn’t want that at all.
“I didn’t want this to happen at all.” I love her. And the suspect said, “I’m sorry,” addressing Sally’s crying family members by name. “I can’t believe what happened.”
“I think that’s all I have to say,” he said.
The obituary for Sally Brainerd (née Geiger) didn’t name the person she was accused of killing. Instead, it said that Brainerd was the mother of three and grandmother of three, a graduate of Clemson University, and a retired registered nurse who “had a kind, generous spirit and loved animals and caring for others.”
The obituary said, “Her family loved her very much and will miss her very much.”
According to court records, the defendant was given a $50,000 bond on July 29 and paid it. However, he agreed to be electronically monitored and stayed at the Harpers Way home under house arrest. Brainerd also needs to have a mental exam and/or “other medical evaluation.”
