Regional Crime: Defendant Who Killed Hatchet Says in Court He Did It

Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office

Man pleads guilty to hatchet murder in Abbeville

ABBEVILLE – An Abbeville man was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing another Abbeville man with a hatchet, 8th Judicial District Attorney David M. Stumbo announced Wednesday .

Joshua Leon Lusk, 36, threw himself at the mercy of the court and pleaded guilty, as charged Monday, to murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Lusk changed his plea to guilty on the same day a jury was to be empaneled to try the case.

At the conclusion of the guilty plea, Chief Judge Eugene C. Griffith Jr. sentenced Lusk to 30 years in prison. Under state law, the potential penalty for the crime of murder is 30 years to life in prison and the sentence must be served day for day, meaning Lusk will never be eligible for parole or early release.

In August 2022, the victim drove the co-defendant home from Lusk. Lusk and the victim, 49-year-old Kenji Claude Kilgore, did not get along and a physical altercation occurred between the victim and Lusk. At some point during the altercation, Lusk and the co-defendant attacked the victim with a knife and a hatchet.

An autopsy conducted on the victim revealed that he had been hit in the head at least six times and injured in the wrist with the blunt end of the hatchet, resulting in his death. Lusk's account of events changed several times during interviews with law enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney Micah Black and Assistant Attorney Wade Dowtin, with assistance from 8th District Investigator Chris Wilkie and 8th District Victim Attorney Sarah Parris. Lusk was represented by attorney Michael Gambrell of Greenville. Attorney Stumbo praised the work of his staff and the Abbeville County Sheriff's Office in securing the conviction and prison sentence.