Man sentenced for beating neighbor to death with a chair in Summerville

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A New York man has been sentenced for the brutal beating death of his neighbor at a Summerville apartment complex last November, Solicitor David Pascoe announced Tuesday.

John E. Kronenberger, a 63-year-old New York native, has been convicted for the killing of 51-year-old Charles “Bubbie” Crumpler, Jr. 

Kronenberger pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 22 years to be served and the remaining time suspended to 5 years of probation.

The incident occurred on November 9, 2023, at the Summer Wind Summerville apartments. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a fight in the community firepit area. 

Upon arrival, officers found Crumpler lying face down in a pool of blood. According to an eyewitness, Kronenberger had pushed Crumpler to the ground and repeatedly beat him with an Adirondack chair.

After learning that Kronenberger had fled to a nearby apartment, officers located him at the unit, where he resisted arrest and had to be tazed before being detained. Law enforcement noted that Kronenberger was heavily intoxicated at the time. He claimed the altercation occurred because he was defending another neighbor.

“This was an incredibly senseless killing,” said Assistant Solicitor Jaquon Irby. “The victim left his home to check his mail when he happened across a group at the communal firepit. He never returned home, and this family was forever changed.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Irby, who also thanked Detective Kyle Smith and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation.

Kronenberger will serve his sentence at a state correctional facility, with five years of probation to follow his release.