Horry County woman ordered to serve 12 years in prison in fatal Christmas Eve stabbing

The death of Tonia Davis’ father on Christmas Eve two years ago is a loss she carries with her daily.

On Thursday, Davis said she felt some peace because the woman charged in 52-year-old Herbert Lee Robinson’s killing was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

“I’m glad she got 12 years, but that still doesn’t bring my daddy back,” Davis said with tears in her eyes as she was being held tightly by a family member after Thursday’s hearing in Conway. “At least she’s not walking around able to do that to someone else.”

The loss of Robinson also continues to haunt 56-year-old Connie Louise Highsmith, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Robinson’s death, she said.

“I’m sorry for everything that happened,” Highsmith said with emotion in her voice and tears in her eyes during the hearing. “For the family, my heart bleeds like them. I was with this man for 16 years.”

Circuit Court Judge Michael Nettles ordered Highsmith to serve 12 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a negotiated plea agreement.

Nancy Livesay, who prosecuted the case for the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, said the charge of murder against Highsmith would be dismissed in exchange for her plea to the lesser charge. Livesay also asked Nettles to not sentence her to more than 15 years in prison.

Nettles said Highsmith is not eligible for parole and must serve 85 percent of the sentence.

Horry County police charged Highsmith of Galivants Ferry with murder after officers were called about 2:40 p.m. Dec. 24, 2013, to 2939 Methodist Rehobeth Road for a stabbing and found her standing in the front yard.

Robinson was found inside the house, seated in a chair a few feet from the front door, according to a police report. A 36-year-old woman, who called police, was inside the house holding Robinson’s head.

Police noted Robinson had suffered a stab wound to his chest and he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Livesay said a witness saw Robinson and Highsmith argue inside the home and it turned physical, with the couple hitting each other.

The witness told authorities that Highsmith went to the kitchen, got a knife and started stabbing Robinson in the chest as he sat in the chair, Livesay said. The witness calmed Highsmith down, took the knife and called police.

Before Nettles issued the sentence, Davis told him that her father had cared for her and Highsmith.

“I wish this never happened. My dad was a good man,” Davis said. “I think she deserves the maximum. She shouldn’t be walking around.”

Highsmith’s lawyer, Tom Floyd, told Nettles that the woman had been hospitalized and Robinson was supposed to pick her up that day from the hospital, but he did not.

When Highsmith arrived home, the couple argued and drank alcohol, Floyd said.

“Connie didn’t realize how badly she had hurt Mr. Robinson,” Floyd said and noted she became too emotional to finish talking to detectives at the police department after they told her Robinson was dead.

“She knows she has to be punished. She knows what she did was wrong,” Floyd said before his client was sentenced. “She said he was good to her.”

Highsmith, who had been free on bond, was taken into custody to be transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence.

This story was originally published March 26, 2015 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Horry County woman ordered to serve 12 years in prison in fatal Christmas Eve stabbing."