A South Carolina woman, Lyric Whitfield, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to murder her wife, Rondoshia Holmes, and setting her car on fire. The attack, which occurred in 2021, left Holmes severely injured and marked a tragic chapter in a tumultuous relationship.
The Attack and Charges
Whitfield, 28, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and third-degree arson before her trial was set to begin. On May 8, Judge Charles McCutchen sentenced her to 20 years in prison, with 8 years suspended, meaning Whitfield will serve 12 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The charges stem from an attack on Holmes that took place on June 18, 2021, when Whitfield and her co-defendant, Desiree Brown, assaulted Holmes in her car.
Holmes, who was married to Whitfield but separated at the time, was brutally stabbed 25 times in the head, neck, chest, arms, and hands. She survived the attack and managed to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle, despite sustaining fractures in her arms.
The Attack’s Events
The attack began when Holmes was under the impression that she was being driven to a convenience store by Brown, with Whitfield sitting in the back seat. When Holmes was attacked, she was stabbed multiple times from behind.
After jumping out of the vehicle, Brown stopped the car, continued the assault, and stole Holmes’ phone to prevent her from calling for help. Whitfield and Brown then left the bleeding woman in a warehouse district in North Charleston.
A Good Samaritan saw Holmes in the road and called emergency responders, saving her life. In the meantime, Whitfield and Brown drove Holmes’ car to a wooded area, where they attempted to burn it by dousing papers in lighter fluid. Authorities later recovered the car, which still contained blood from the stabbing.
Investigation and Admission of Guilt
Investigators found digital evidence, including messages between Whitfield and Brown, in which they discussed deleting their communications and searched for news stories about the stabbing.
During questioning, Whitfield waived her constitutional rights and admitted to initiating the stabbing, explaining that she had brought lighter fluid from her home to burn the car.
Whitfield was arrested on June 25, 2021, and was denied bond. She remained in custody until her recent guilty plea. As of May 8, she was admitted to the Graham Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina.
Sentencing of Co-Defendant
Brown, who was also involved in the attack, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, third-degree arson, and first-degree domestic violence in August 2022. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is currently serving concurrent sentences at Leath Correctional Institution. Brown’s projected release date is in June 2038.
Holmes’ Strength and Recovery
While the current condition of Holmes’ physical health is unknown, prosecutors have praised her strength and composure throughout the ordeal. In statements, the prosecutor’s office commended her impact statements during the trial process.
