Columbus Co. woman convicted in 2014 murder

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A woman has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in a New Years Day murder.

According to a release, on Wednesday, a Columbus County jury convicted Amanda Canady of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Canady was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 13 to nearly 17 years followed by 6 to 8 years in the North Carolina Dept. of Corrections.

Officials said on January 1, 2014, deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Hallsboro where the body of Keisha Ward was found. Another victim, Johnny Tyler, was taken to the hospital. The victims had been badly beaten in the home they shared with three children.

Amanda Canady is one of three people charged in the crimes. Antwan Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder and attempted murder in January 2017 and Derrick Pierce was found guilty of all counts by a jury in June 2017.