Family of fatal stabbing victim speak out after judge grants suspected killer bail

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – A woman accused of stabbing and killing another woman in Myrtle Beach is free from behind bars.

A judge on Thursday granted 57-year-old Flora Pickett a $100,000 bond.

Pickett is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

The charges stem from a stabbing that occurred more than a year ago in the early morning hours of Oct. 11 in the 800 block of Nance Street.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Starlet Jackson, 59, still breathing and conscious but unresponsive to questioning.

He was taken to the hospital where he died a few days later.

At Thursday’s court hearing, Jackson’s family urged the judge not to release Pickett on bail.

“I think it’s too early right now,” Jackson’s nephew said.

A year after the brutal attack, the family said they are still trying to pick up the pieces and heal.

“It’s only been a year. And when someone dies for that matter, you know it takes a while to heal,” Jackson’s nephew said.

He thought of his aunt and said he would always remember her as a creative person who loved others with all her heart.

Family remembers Starlet Jackson killed in Myrtle Beach shooting.(SOURCE: WMBF)

During the hearing, Pickett’s attorney asked the judge to issue him bond after he spent almost a year in jail.

Pickett’s lawyer claimed the two women had known each other for about 20 years.

“There was no beef with him. He had no malice towards him. Pickett’s attorney said he had no reason to harm her, hurt her or do anything.

at a previous bond hearing in December.Pickett allegedly discussed the fatal stabbing with another inmate. The conversation was captured on camera and audio recordings at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. But during Thursday’s conversation, Pickett’s attorney argued that law enforcement misheard his client’s words.

“Law enforcement heard the words, ‘He had to go,’ and in turn heard my client confess to the murder. ‘He had to go,’ I heard. and ‘He had to go.’ “It points to a man… who harassed my client,” Pickett’s attorney said.

After the judge set bail, Jackson’s family faced the reality that Pickett might be released from prison. The family said they chose to stay positive and keep Jackson’s name alive despite the unimaginable events.

“He rubbed me the wrong way, but that’s life. “You’ll get through this no matter what,” Jackson’s nephew said.

If Pickett can post bail, he will be held in home detention with a GPS monitor.

Stay tuned to WMBF News for updates.