FEB 08, 2010: YORK, SC -- The City of York said goodbye to former mayor Melvin Roberts this afternoon. He was murdered Thursday night outside of his home.
His killer is still on the loose, four days later and police have not released a cause of death nor named a suspect at this point.
This afternoon, friends and family members tried not to think about how Roberts died but, instead, celebrated the way he lived. The 78-year-old was a prominent attorney, famous for taking on, and winning, tough, controversial cases.
Plenty of big names packed into First Presbyterian Church for the service, many of the state's greatest legal minds showing up to pay their respects.
Roberts served as mayor of York in the early 70's. Charles Blackwell says he'd known Roberts since 1935 and says he can't believe this happened to his high school classmate, here in his hometown.
"Nothing surprises me. The world has gone crazy but I thought York would be a good refuge," said Charles Blackwell.
According to police, Roberts' girlfriend, Julia Phillips, called 911 to report a robbery. She says a man tied her up and waited for the former mayor to come home.
The report indicates nothing was stolen nor did anyone gain entrance into the home. The girlfriend was not injured.
