Craig Lewis: Colleton County Jury Acquits Man of Arson and Murder in Wife’s Death

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. — After brief deliberations, a Colleton County jury found Craig Lewis not guilty of arson and murder charges in connection with the 2019 death of his wife, Terry Lewis, who suffered fatal complications from severe burns. The jury returned the verdict after under two hours of deliberation.

Prosecutors alleged that Craig Lewis intentionally set his wife on fire, leading to her injuries and eventual death. However, Lewis’s defense argued that Terry had accidentally ignited herself while attempting to start a fire in the couple’s wood-burning stove.

The prosecution’s case leaned heavily on the testimony of Terry’s daughter, Leigh Ann Cronkey, who described a tense and allegedly abusive relationship between her mother and Craig. Cronkey recounted a violent altercation between the couple the night before the incident and spoke of her mother’s infidelity, which the prosecution suggested as a possible motive. Despite Cronkey’s testimony, the prosecution presented no direct evidence or witnesses to confirm how the fire started.

Craig Lewis’s defense team, led by State Senator Margie Bright Matthews, countered by challenging Cronkey’s credibility, scrutinizing her management of her mother’s conservatorship. The defense highlighted the lack of forensic evidence, noting that critical items—including swabs from the wood-burning stove and gas cans—were never tested, nor was Terry’s skin swabbed for accelerants. A doctor testified on behalf of the defense, stating that Terry had health issues that could have led to unsteadiness, potentially contributing to an accidental fire.

Following the not guilty verdict, Terry Lewis’s family reacted emotionally, leaving the courtroom in tears. Craig Lewis remained composed, appearing visibly relieved. His attorney, Bright Matthews, said the verdict was a testament to the justice system functioning as intended.

“I felt confident from the beginning because I knew the gaps in the prosecution’s evidence,” said Bright Matthews. “There was no evidence that linked Craig to the fire, and being present when it started is not a crime.”

Bright Matthews expressed sadness about the toll the trial had taken on her client, noting that he was barred from attending his wife’s funeral and was excluded from her obituary. “He was married to his wife for 25 years, and after everything he’s been through, it’s truly heartbreaking,” she said.

CC News Network will continue to follow this case and any potential developments as Craig Lewis looks to move forward after his acquittal.

Connect with CC News Network:

Stay updated with CC News Network’s latest investigations, book releases, and appearances by following him on social media. Join the growing community of readers and true crime enthusiasts who trust James Seidel for his insightful analysis and gripping storytelling.

Over 1,200,000 Million likes of Tiktok alone!

Join Our Close to 100,000 Social Media Fans: