Second Man Arrested in Murder of Bianca Tanner
UPDATE — Detectives identified and arrested Lawrence Briscoe, 32, for his involvement in the murder of Bianca Tanner.
Information and evidence gathered during the course of the investigation led detectives in signing a warrant for the arrest of Briscoe.
Police arrested Briscoe on Friday in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He has been charged with Concealment of Death.
Briscoe allegedly helped bury Tanner ‘s body and may have helped police find her remains in 2014.
Angelo Smith was accused of killing his girlfriend Bianca Tanner and then hiding her body in 2014. He told police she left his house after they got into an argument over a text message. Her body was found several weeks after she was first reported missing.
In Thursday’s court hearing, Smith pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter, first-degree kidnapping, concealment of a death, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to a total of 228-310 months in prison.
Smith addressed Tanner’s family in court. “I’m sorry I lied,” he said. “I know you hate me I can’t blame you. I’ve been in hell since Bianca’s death.”
Tanner’s mother called Smith a “narcissistic poison disguised as a man” for killing Bianca and then lying about it for 26 days.
The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:
Today, Smith admitted his guilt and accepted responsibility for his crimes. In every case, prosecutors must weigh a number of factors, including all of the available evidence, the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and the likelihood of success at trial. Issues in this case – namely the fact that the victim’s cause of death could only be identified as “undetermined trauma” and the possibility of Smith raising a claim of self-defense – had the potential to create significant challenges at trial. The available evidence supported a conviction of voluntary manslaughter, and this plea ensures a just result: Smith’s conviction and a prison sentence that protects the community and holds Smith accountable for Ms. Tanner’s death.
It was an honor to seek justice on behalf of Ms. Tanner and her family. The grace her family showed in court today when speaking of their loved one was inspirational. The District Attorney’s Office is also grateful for the work of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, who led a thorough and exhaustive 26-day investigation that helped bring closure to this family.
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