Despite early signs he may have been acting in self-defense, a Eutawville man is facing a murder charge in the shooting death of a double-murder suspect.

Napier Harris, 28, of 325 Gable Drive, has been charged with murder in connection with the May 15 death of Henry James Clark of 290 Dorchester Avenue, Orangeburg.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams said, “I believe the preliminary part of the investigation concluded there might have been a self-defense scenario.

“So with the discussions we had, I thought it best that the victim be given the full due process.”

Clark died during a shoot-out just outside the Eutawville town limits. Police found Clark’s body inside a vehicle parked outside Eutawville Town Hall. A woman said she drove the victim to that site.

Williams said Harris turned himself in to Eutawville police immediately after the shooting. Harris also gave authorities a pair of Ruger 9 mm handguns, telling officials one was his and the other was Clark’s, the sheriff said.

A day after the shooting in Eutawville, Harris was arrested on a weapons charge. He went before an Orangeburg County magistrate who set bond on him on that charge at $10,000 surety.

Williams said police received conflicting testimony and allegations that didn’t match up during the investigation, resulting in the murder charge coming more than a week after the incident.

“I felt like the decision whether or not to charge was fair,” Williams said. “It’s up to the courts to decide if he committed the crime.”

Investigators say Harris turned himself in on Wednesday to face the new charge levied against him. He stood before Orangeburg County Magistrate Richard Murray, who informed Harris he would have to go before a circuit court judge to have bond set.

Murray asked, “You are aware of what you are being charged with?”

“Yes, sir,” Harris said.

“At this point, do you have any questions?”

“No, sir.”

At the time of his death, the 32-year-old Clark was out on bond while awaiting trial in connection with 2007’s fatal shooting of two men in Cross. Clark was also charged with first-degree burglary in connection with that case, which Berkeley County officials believe was drug-related.

Harris had previously been sentenced to six months of probation on a weapons charge.

Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Advocate Thais Britt said Clark’s family members would wait until Harris’ bond hearing before they spoke.

Several of Harris’ family members present at the hearing declined to comment as well.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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