Alleged killer fled to Canada following murder of local business owner

Staff Writer

rseaborn@ pickenssentinel.com

EASLEY - Roger Eugene Shephard arrived in Easley late Friday afternoon after spending almost two years in a Canadian prison while fighting extradition to South Carolina.

Shephard, charged in the June 2006 slaying of businessman John Bruin, fled to Montreal following the shooting of the 65-year-old pawnshop owner.

Once in Canadian custody, Shephard requested refugee status from that government because, based on S.C. laws, he could be punished by death if convicted of the murder.

Canadian officials only agreed to extradite Shephard after Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail agreed to take the death penalty possibility off the table.

Easley Police Lieutenant Gene Patterson, the lead investigator in Bruin's murder, said that Shephard arrived at the agency around 3:30 p.m. Friday after two police officials met with U.S. Marshals near Atlanta to escort the 23-year-old man to Pickens County.

Shephard was interviewed by law enforcement upon his arrival, Patterson said.

Warrants issued June 15, 2006 for Shephard's arrest were also served on the former Williamston resident, he said.

According to the warrants, Shepard is charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, in that he did "point and present a handgun at the victims,

John and Betty Bruin during the commission of an armed robbery and murder, which occurred at" the 604 West Main Street business.

Shephard was also charged with armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill in that he allegedly fired two shots at Mrs. Bruin during the robbery.

A fourth warrant served on Shephard charges him with the murder of John Bruin.

A bond hearing has yet to be scheduled for Shephard, said Marsha Barker, spokesperson with the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office.

"A circuit court judge must establish bond and Shephard's attorneys will have to request that bond hearing, and they haven't done that," Barker said.

Patterson said that he has remained in contact with Bruin's family, and they are "doing as well as can be expected under these circumstances.

"But I am just glad to have Shephard back in Easley," Patterson said.