On October 27, 1985, 75-year-old Benjamin Frank Atkins was shot and killed at his North Charleston home during a pre-dawn attack that also claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl, Karen Patterson. A neighbor reported seeing Joseph Ernest Atkins carrying a machete and a sawed-off shotgun shortly before phone lines were found dead and a gunshot sounded. Joseph Atkins went first to the Polite family’s rental behind the elder Atkins’ duplex and fatally shot Karen Patterson. Their mother, Fatha Patterson, ran to Benjamin Atkins’ house for help and saw Joseph aim the shotgun at her. Benjamin Atkins was then shot in the shoulder area and collapsed, dying from a significant loss of blood.

Joseph Ernest Atkins was arrested, tried and convicted on two counts of murder for the deaths of Benjamin Frank Atkins and Karen Patterson. He was also charged with first-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and two counts of assault with intent to kill. The jury imposed the death penalty; the state supreme court later affirmed the guilt phase but remanded the case for a new sentencing hearing.

If anyone knew Benjamin Atkins, the Polite family, or has information about that October 1985 morning, please share what you know.