From the office of Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office

Chesnee Labri Mattress, a 25 year old Lexington County woman, was convicted yesterday by a Lexington County jury, after approximately three hours of deliberations, for the Murder of Annette Riley, age 44, following a four-day trial.

The Honorable Walton J. McLeod, IV, presided over the trial and sentenced Mattress to 35 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Murder is classified as a “no parole” offense under South Carolina law. Mattress was also convicted of Possession of a Weapon during the commission of a Violent Crime. Murder is also classified as a violent crime in South Carolina.

On October 11, 2017, in the Gaston area of Lexington County, Annette Riley was shot and killed in her front yard. Testimony revealed at trial that Mattress was a friend of one of Riley’s daughters.

Mattress was over at the residence that day and she had engaged in a verbal altercation with one of Riley’s family members. Testimony further revealed that following the argument, Mattress, who had a firearm with her, fired multiple shots into a crowd of people, eventually striking Riley. A witness at the scene called 911. During the trial, the jury heard the 911 call and the witness was able to immediately identify Mattress as the shooter by stating Mattress’ first name, Chesnee.

Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and spoke with several witnesses who also identified Mattress as the shooter. Crime Scene Investigators processed the front yard and recovered multiple projectiles and shell casings.

Law enforcement was also able to locate Mattress that day at her home. A search warrant was executed on her residence and a 40 caliber pistol was recovered. The weapon was sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, commonly known as SLED, for forensic testing. Testimony at trial confirmed that the recovered weapon was the one used during the commission of this shooting.

During the course of the investigation, investigators interviewed Mattress who admitted to the shooting and acknowledged that the 40 caliber pistol at her residence was the weapon she used.

Senior Assistant Solicitor Rhonda W. Patterson and Assistant Solicitor Bradley Pogue handled the prosecution of this case for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Senior Assistant Solicitor Patterson commented that “this killing was senseless and it has left a family without a loving mother. The family is grateful for justice and closure.”

During the sentencing hearing, Senior Assistant Solicitor Patterson expressed that the “family was too emotional” to address the Court. She stated that Mattress “was friends with the family” and that “the family feels hurt and betrayed.” Riley was a loving mother of three children and a proud grandmother of one grandchild.

The investigation was led by Investigator Michael J. Hart and he was assisted by other investigators of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit as well as SLED. Senior Assistant Solicitor Patterson remarked that “We appreciate the efforts of Sheriff Jay Koon and the entire Sheriff’s Department during the course of this investigation and preparation for the trial of this case.”

Mattress is a validated gang member. She will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to immediately begin the service of her sentence, which she will have to serve day for day.