Wife of murder suspect Anthony Garner speaks about ‘family man’

While Anthony Maurice Garner of Albemarle remains in a Horry County, South Carolina jail cell accused of killing a man, his wife has been sharing his side of the story on TV, radio and social media videos.

Garner, 44, has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime after an incident May 24 in Myrtle Beach where Cedrick Reddick, 31, was killed.

Ashley Garner spoke to The Stanly News & Press on Tuesday about what she says her husband is really like.

“He’s a gentle, humble man. He wouldn’t hurt anyone on purpose,” she said. “He just had to stand up for himself and his family that day.”

Ashley Garner said she could not get into specifics as to what happened that night, though she says some of what has been shared with the public is not true.

“He followed the law to the T. No more and no less,” she said, referring to South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law.

Warrants obtained by The Stanly News & Press offer notes about the incident from the prosecuting officer.

In the warrants, Myrtle Beach police officer Kristi J. Muhlbaier says the victim was found dead on the scene in the 2300-Block of North Ocean Boulevard.

“Through the investigation, it was learned that the defendant was engaged in a verbal altercation stemming from a road rage incident with an associate of the victim,” the officer writes. “During the altercation the defendant was struck one time in the face by the associate. The victim reportedly approached and attempted to mediate the situation. After the assault was complete, the verbal altercation continued. The defendant retrieved his firearm from the center console and proceeded to fire the weapon, fatally striking the victim.”

Ashley and Anthony have been married for 21 years and been together for more than 26. She stressed that her husband is a family man who has four children and a grandson.

A daughter, Nubia, was driving the couple on the night of the shooting, she said. They were in Myrtle Beach to celebrate the graduation from Albemarle High of another daughter, Nyjah.

“We think Myrtle Beach is a wonderful city,” Ashley said. “We go down there three to four times a year. Myrtle Beach is safe. We feel like it is a family beach and we went down there as a family. And my husband was forced to defend his family.”

She said she was able to speak to her husband briefly Monday night, as he is under lockdown 23 hours out of the day.

“We were telling him we have the community’s support up here,” she said.

When he is not working with sheet rock or spending time with his family, Anthony enjoys playing cornhole. He is also known by his stage name, DJ Finesse, something he has been doing for more than 20 years.

“People that know him know the quality and type of person he is,” Ashley said.

Ashley said many fundraising events are being planned to help obtain a lawyer for her husband’s case.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Myrtle Beach Police Department non-emergency number at 843-918-1382 and reference case number 24-009577.

WMBF News reports a judge set no bond for Garner. The Myrtle Beach TV station said his initial court appearance has been set for July 19.

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.

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