Eddie Clyde Helms denied bond again in murder case

Eddie “Clyde” Helms, who is charged with killing two men 24 years apart in Union and Anson counties, has been denied bond again.

Superior Court Judge Christopher Bragg ruled late last week against the defense request of a $250,000 secured bond and electronic house arrest, Union County District Attorney Trey Robison said. Prosecutors had opposed the request.

The 61-year-old Helms is being held in Union County Jail without bond, and has been there since his August arrest.

He is charged with killing Charles Ronald Godwin, 60, in eastern Union County on Aug. 30, 2012, and John Terow Griffin III, 39, in Peachland, Anson County, on Nov. 10, 1988. Helms also is charged with stalking Godwin and a female friend who recently had broken off her seven-year relationship with Helms.

Griffin and Godwin both died following a shotgun blast to the back by someone who sneaked up on them in the dark, authorities have said. Godwin was in his house at the time he was shot. Griffin was working on an antenna on his roof.

Authorities have said anger and jealousy were factors in both killings, but they have declined to discuss other details.

Robison and Anson County District Attorney Reece Saunders have told the courts that they will not seek the death penalty against Helms. During a Union County hearing on the capital punishment issue in October, Helms attorney John Painter of Monroe unsuccessfully sought to get bond set in the case.

At the session, one of the prosecutors called Helms a dangerous man who killed two people.

Painter said prosecutors had a circumstantial case that lacked witnesses and physical evidence. Painter could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Helms grew up in and lived in the New Salem community near Marshville in Union County, not far from the Anson County line. He worked as a grader and landscaper for many years.

Helms also faces a wrongful death civil lawsuit filed by Godwin’s estate. In a filing for that case, Helms denied that he killed Godwin.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Eddie Clyde Helms denied bond again in murder case."