Back in October 1977, the community of Columbia, South Carolina, was shaken to its core by a horrifying crime. Two teenagers, 17-year-old Tommy Taylor and 14-year-old Carlotta Hartness, were senselessly murdered in what can only be described as a nightmare scenario. Carlotta, just a high school freshman with her whole life ahead of her, and Tommy, a thoughtful and kind young man, were working on a school project when their lives were brutally taken. Two young people who no doubt would have gone on and contributed greatly to our society
The details of what happened that day are nothing short of chilling. Tommy was shot while sitting in his car, and Carlotta, just 14 years old, was dragged away and subjected to unthinkable violence. It’s hard to even imagine the fear she must have felt. When you think about how young and vulnerable she was, it’s both heartbreaking and terrifying. This story is one that stays with you, especially as a woman or someone who’s ever worried about the safety of young people in your life.
The men responsible, Joseph Carl Shaw, James Terry Roach, and Ronald Mahaffey, were eventually caught. Shaw and Roach faced the death penalty, and while it’s hard to argue they didn’t deserve to be held accountable, there’s a lot about Roach’s case that makes you pause. He was only 17 at the time of the crime, with an IQ of 80 and a history of developmental struggles. Should someone that young, with those kinds of limitations, really face the ultimate punishment? It’s a question that sparked protests and debates, even drawing attention from figures like Mother Teresa and President Jimmy Carter. Despite the efforts to save him, Roach was executed in 1986.
For Carlotta’s family, the pain has never gone away. Her sister, Sherrerd Hartness, has spoken openly about how her family was forever changed. In one heartbreaking story, she shared how their father told the family never to say Carlotta’s name again—an attempt to block out the pain that only made it harder for everyone to grieve. Sherrerd’s reflections show just how deeply violence like this ripples through a family, leaving scars that never fully heal. Sherrerd now spends her time teaching others about the effects of violent crime. https://www.sherrerdhartness.com/
This case isn’t just about the tragedy of what happened to Tommy and Carlotta, it also forces us to think about justice. How do we balance punishment with compassion? What do we owe to victims and their families? And when is the death penalty appropriate, if ever? These are big, uncomfortable questions that this case brings to the forefront.
Even though this happened decades ago, it’s a story that still feels relevant today. It’s a reminder of how fragile life is and how violence can leave a lasting impact not just on the people involved but on an entire community. Tommy and Carlotta deserved so much more, and their memory continues to challenge us to think about how we handle justice and how we support those left behind.
