Greenwood, S.C.; January 23, 2026 – A North Carolina man who shot a woman in the head and attempted to stage the crime scene to make it look like self defense is headed to prison for the next four decades following a two-week jury trial, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Friday
Wilson Justice Xavier Smith, 27, was found guilty by a Greenwood County jury late Thursday of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime following a two-week trial and over 10 hours of deliberation.
Circuit Judge Donald B. Hocker then handed down a sentence of 40 years in prison on the murder charge and five years in prison on the weapon charge, with the sentences running concurrently. South Carolina law mandates sentences for murder be served day-for-day, meaning Smith will not be eligible for parole.
In December 2022, officers responded to Burfield Apartments, located along Cambridge Avenue East, after a man, later identified as Smith, called 911 to report he shot a woman who had attempted to shoot him. When officers arrived on scene they found 22-year-old Ahkeyra Raysor lying on a bed with an apparent gunshot wound to her head and a shotgun lying conspicuously across her body. Greenwood County EMS transported Raysor to Self Regional Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
Smith told officers that Raysor fired the shotgun at him first and he then shot the victim in self defense. Officers immediately suspected Smith’s story was fabricated based on evidence at the scene. Smith said Raysor fired the shotgun, but analysis of that weapon turned up DNA for Smith and three other unknown individuals, but Raysor’s DNA was not on the weapon. Other alleged witnesses came forward and their stories did not match with Wilson’s version of events. The murder weapon had been removed from the scene at Smith’s behest. All of this further pointed to Smith’s staging of the crime scene and fabricating a self-defense claim.
Deputy Solicitor Yates Brown and Assistant Solicitor Madison Hoffman handled the case for the state, with assistance from 8th Circuit investigators Windy Chappell and Charlie Cunningham and 8th Circuit victim advocates Sarah Parris and Rhetta Smith. Smith was represented by Elizabeth Thomas and Scarlet Moore of the 8th Circuit Public Defender’s Office.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff, along with lead investigator Maj. Blake Shockley and the entire Greenwood Police Department, in securing the conviction, calling it a “total team effort” from his office in preparing the case for trial.
“This was a calculated and violent act, followed by a deliberate attempt to deceive law enforcement and escape responsibility,” Solicitor Stumbo said. “Because of a total team effort—from investigators and prosecutors to victim advocates and administrative staff—the truth prevailed, and a violent killer has been held accountable. We will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to justice for crime victims and to keep the Greenwood community safe.”