Man thought roommate had sex with girlfriend, SC official says. Now he’s in prison
A South Carolina man is going to prison for decades after being convicted of beating a sleeping man to death, according to the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
On April 22, a Richland County jury found Stanley Geter guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Dexter Gunter, the solicitor’s office said in a news release.
Judge William McGee sentenced Geter to 25 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections prison, according to the release. On April 23, the 50-year-old was admitted to Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia, prison records show.
On Dec. 27, 2020, Geter repeatedly punched his sleeping roommate, later identified as Gunter, the solicitor’s office said in the release.
The motive for the deadly attack? The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Geter mistakenly believed Gunter was having an affair with his girlfriend, the solicitor’s office said.
After the attack, Gunter was taken to an area hospital, according to the release. Gunter suffered blunt-force head trauma and died Jan. 17, 2021, the solicitor’s office said.
No other injuries were reported.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation.
Senior Assistant Solicitor C. Dale Scott and Assistant Solicitor Joseph Kreush prosecuted the case for the solicitor’s office. Public defender Hope Demer-Smith was listed as the attorney for Geter, who was originally charged with murder, Richland County court records show.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 9:19 AM with the headline "Man thought roommate had sex with girlfriend, SC official says. Now he’s in prison."
