HAMPTON -A former Hampton County Detention Center officer was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in his wife's death.
Charles Bradley Croom, 40, of 113 Shady Lane, Varnville at the time of his arrest, was charged with murder in the strangulation death of Heather Croom, 26, on March 15, 2009. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge Hampton County General Sessions Court on Monday after a plea agreement between Croom's attorneys, Lee Bowers and Mary Kay Siren, and the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
The charge of voluntary manslaughter carries a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years. Judge Perry M. Buckner said that, in sentencing, he took into consideration the facts that Croom admitted to the crime and had no prior record. During sentencing, details were also revealed about problems in the Crooms' marriage.
"There are times on the bench when ... justice is difficult to achieve, and those are especially true when I see the heartache and pain it causes families," said Buckner. "Justice requires that I look at all the facts, and all the circumstances."
Charles Croom was arrested March 16 after the body of his wife was discovered in a ditch the night before by turkey hunters near Frampton Cemetery off Old Salkehatchie Road. An autopsy revealed that Heather Croom died of strangulation.
The Crooms had three sons, now ages 4, 6, and 8.
Assistant Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III said that in written and video statements, Croom doesn't actually say that he choked his wife to death, but said he had his hands around her neck and then realized she was dead. He then loaded her in the car and took her to the site where she was found, added Murdaugh.
"I stand here today taking responsibility for my actions and I am truly sorry," said Croom, who broke down and cried in the courtroom. "I walked away for eight years, I don't know why I couldn't walk away that night ... I don't know why it happened that night ... To my sons, I'm sorry, and I love you very much ... I'm sorry for everything I've caused."
Croom will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He has a right to appeal the judge's sentencing, but must do so within 10 days.

Testimony reveals details of rocky marriage
According to statements from both sides, Charles and Heather Croom's 8-year marriage was a troubled one. Charles met Heather on the Internet, and when they married he was 30 and she was 17.
Croom told investigators that on the night of the incident he came home from work as a Level 2 law enforcement officer employed at the Hampton County Detention Center, and found his wife partially clothed in front of a camera participating in cybersex with a man in Canada.
"Mr. Croom began his relationship with Heather Croom on the Internet, and unfortunately that's the way it ended," said his attorney, Lee Bowers. "He apparently went into a rage and killed her."
Bowers and several witnesses painted the picture of a troubled relationship, riddled with numerous separations after a number of affairs. He presented as evidence a copy of a very explicit email between Heather Croom and an alleged male lover.
Tyronsa Collins, a next door neighbor, testified that on numerous occasions she observed Heather Croom "messing with" a male neighbor when her husband was at work and that she would leave the kids home by themselves while she cooked and washed clothes for the other man.
Bowers told the court that on March 5, just 10 days before the killing, Heather Croom poured Clorox in her husband's face while he lay sleeping and that he then signed a warrant for criminal domestic violence in the Town of Varnville, a warrant that was not served.
"It was most unfortunate he didn't get some help, and it was most unfortunate that the warrant was never served," said Bowers. "Had that warrant been served, we would not be here today."
Two of Croom's supervisors at the HCDC offered statements on his behalf, describing him as a hard worker and a dedicated officer who cared about his sons, adding that on numerous occasions he had come to them asking for advice and help with marital problems. They said Croom had spoken with attorneys and family court officials as well, but never took the proper steps to get the help needed. Detention center officials were so concerned they asked Croom to turn over his personal firearm, which he did.
"We tried to point him in the right direction so he could get some help," said Lt. Lucius Moses.
Charles' mother, Arthena Croom, testified that when the couple lived in Virginia neighbors reported that she was having numerous men over at their home when her husband was working and that, after they split up, Charles followed his wife to South Carolina to try and keep the family together.

Wife's family had different take
But the victim's family painted a totally different picture. At least eight members of Heather Croom's family, many of whom traveled from Maine for the trial, said that Charles Croom had long been a violent, abusive, controlling man and begged the court for the maximum sentence.
"She was murdered in a grisly, gruesome manner, and thrown out like a piece of garbage, just shy of her 27th birthday," said the victim's aunt, Denise Moore. "Her murder left a hole in my heart, and in the hearts of those who loved her."
The victim's mother, Diane Redimarker, said Croom had been controlling and abusing her daughter, even beating her once when she cut her hair without his permission.
"People told me that he had been beating her, but she never said anything," said Redimarker. "And I sat here and listen while you made Mr. Croom look like a nice guy, like a great All-American boy."
The victim's sister, Jennifer Beyea, also said Croom had been abusing Heather.
"She tried to leave Brad (Croom) multiple times because he was beating her," said Beyea. "She came to my house many times with bruises all over her body. And he attempted to strangle her once before."