Ex Horry coroner pleads guilty to charge in murder trial. What charges does he still face?
The murder trial for Chris Dontell is moving forward with one less charge against the former Horry County coroner.
Dontell, 41, is being tried for the death of Greg Rice, the ex-boyfriend of his mistress. Dontell is facing charges of murder, criminal conspiracy charge, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and accessory after the fact.
He agreed to plead guilty to accessory after the fact on Dec. 3 and the trial will continue for the three other charges, said Aimee Jendrzejewski Zmroczek, Dontell’s lawyer. Rice’s adult son, Zachary Rice, is expected to speak during opening statements on Wednesday.
Dontell began a relationship with Meagan Jackson, 39, after she was hired as a subcontractor for the coroner’s office. They also lived in the same Conway area subdivision. Jackson and Rice separated in 2019 but continued communication because they had four children together.
On Oct. 5, 2020, Jackson told police that Rice was missing. His body was found wrapped in a tarp in the Great Pee Dee River around a month later.
Security camera footage shows Dontell buying cement blocks, a similar tarp, zip ties and other materials around the time of Rice’s death. The same items were found near Rice’s body.
Jackson’s trial was supposed to start this week as well but was continued. It’s unclear when she will be tried for the two murder, two criminal conspiracy and four neglect of children/helpless person, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and accessory after the fact charges.
