Man accused of killing deputy during traffic stop stands trial
Ray Kelly“objects” to court proceedings and having a court-appointed attorney
GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the trial of a man accused of killing a Greenville County deputy during a traffic stop in 2020.
Ray Kelly faces 10 charges including murder, resisting arrest with assault, and drug trafficking.
The solicitor’s office said Kelly is representing himself in court. He has had repeated outbursts to challenge the proceedings but Judge Ned Miller said the trial will continue.
When the pretrial motions began, Kelly had to be hoisted into the courtroom and placed into his seat by officials. He told the judge “objects” to the proceedings and “will not have business” with the court-appointed public defender.
Miller told Kelly, “It is to your benefit that you have an attorney to help you.”
Circuit Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit, Mindy Hervey Lipinski, was provided to serve him.
After one of Kelly’s outbursts, Miller informed the defendant that his behavior could lead to Kelly being forced to wear a stun device and he could also be bound and gagged.
PREVIOUS: Suspect charged with murder of Greenville Co. deputy disrupts court twice
Kelly’s arrest stems from a traffic stop in October of 2020 that went wrong along I-85 near White Horse Road. It was during that stop that Sgt. Conley Jumper, a 28-year-veteran of law enforcement, lost his life in the line of duty.
Investigators said Sgt. Jumper was one of the deputies who tried to pull over Kelly. That’s when Kelly began fighting with deputies and intentionally drove into oncoming traffic to try to get away.
Sgt. Jumper was on the side of Kelly’s car and was struggling to breakaway when he was hit by an oncoming 18-wheeler, according to officials.
Sgt. Jumper left behind a wife and a daughter.
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