He Asked For A Ride From A Good Samaritan. Instead, He Repaid The Favor By Kidnapping And Assaulting Her.

A South Carolina man asked for a lift from a Good Samaritan, then he kidnapped and assaulted her. Now, he will remain behind bars for life.

Recently in South Carolina, a 7th Circuit Court judge sentenced Jerry Cecil Edwards, 63, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping of a woman.

After a two-day trial, Edwards was found guilty and convicted by a jury of kidnapping and carjacking.

At midnight on June 11, 2019, Edwards approached a woman at the parking lot of a Quick Trip on W. Main Street in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, asking for a ride to Walmart. The unsuspecting woman informed the defendant that the store was closed, but she would drop him off wherever he wanted.

Soon, Edwards asked the woman to head to Clinton Street, where he demanded her money and confiscated her car keys. Then, he instructed the victim to undress and get into the trunk of the car while threatening to hit her with a brick.

However, when Edwards stopped the car, the woman pulled the trunk release and ran from the vehicle to a home nearby to get help. Then the defendant fled the scene, but authorities caught up with him a few hours later in Greenville, South Carolina.

At the time of his arrest, Edwards was in possession of the woman’s purse, credit cards and cell phone, reported WSPA.

Later, prosecutors connected the defendant to the crime using video footage from security cameras of the convenience store, pictures, and witness testimony during the trial.

Edwards previously had convictions for kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, three counts of assault, battery of a high and aggravated nature and breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature.

As a result of the defendant’s long and violent criminal history, the judge threw the book at him.

“This situation could have been a lot worse if the courageous woman had not run for help when she did. Her actions were a life saver. Jerry Edwards has repeatedly demonstrated that he can’t conform to the laws of our state. I’m thankful he will spend the balance of his life behind bars in prison,” said Solicitor Barry Barnette, according to Fox Carolina.