Left and right inset: Sally Geiger Brainerd (obituary), Edwin Brainerd Jr. (Anderson County Sheriff’s Office). Right: the suspected shooter speaks in court (WHNS).
A 79-year-old former associate psychology professor at Clemson University accused of murdering his wife with a 12-gauge shotgun by shooting her in the back during a “verbal altercation,” a dispute he later said “just got out of hand,” has been let out of jail ahead of trial, Law&Crime confirmed.
On July 2, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office announced that Edwin Brainerd, Jr. was booked on charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime after 74-year-old Sally Brainerd was shot to death late the night before in a bedroom at her Anderson, S.C., home on Harpers Way.
“Deputies and Detectives responded to Harpers Way in Anderson early this morning after they received a 911 call about a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, Deputies found the victim in her home and immediately started life-saving measures,” authorities said. “Unfortunately, once EMS arrived, the victim had succumbed to her injuries.”
The defendant listed as a Clemson University professor emeritus several years ago.
Greenville News reported that the 911 call was made by a daughter who ran to a neighbor’s house.
Since that time, more details have emerged about the murder suspect, who also did not stay silent about the case when he was asked if he had anything to say at a bond hearing.
According to warrants obtained by Law&Crime, authorities allege that when they got to the homicide scene, Brainerd was standing over the victim’s body and flatly stated that “he shot her.” He allegedly shot his wife with a 12-gauge shotgun — in the back — before midnight “during a verbal altercation.”
“I never intended this to happen. It just got out of hand. I’m so sorry,” Brainerd later said in court, according to video aired by local Fox affiliate WHNS. “I wish that I had been the one that got hit with that. It’s not what I wanted at all.”
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“This was not anything that I wanted to have happen. I love Sally. I’m sorry,” the defendant said, addressing Sally’s audibly sobbing family members by name. “I’m beside myself here with what has taken place.”
“That’s, I guess, all that I want to say,” he added.
An obituary for Sally Brainerd (née Geiger), which made no mention of her accused killer, said that the mother of three and grandmother of three was a Clemson University graduate who had retired from a lengthy career as a registered nurse and “had a kind, generous spirit and loved animals and caring for others.”
“Her family loved her beyond measure and will miss her immensely,” the obit said.
Court records say the defendant was granted a $50,000 bond on July 29 and that he posted that bond, under the condition that he be electronically monitored and reamin on house arrest at the Harpers Way address. Brainerd must also undergo a mental and/or “other medical evaluation.”
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Law&Crime that the defendant was let out of jail on July 30.
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