Leaked evidence, bail for a murder suspect and the effects of social media on criminal cases will come together in Columbus County Superior Court today with the start of Xavier Thomas’ first degree murder trial.
Thomas, 24, is alleged to have killed Julian Juan Fipps, 31, during a shooting on MM Ray Road on Jan. 9, 2023. A motive for the murder has not been officially released.
In a press release at the time of the shooting, the sheriff’s office said multiple shell casings were recovered from the scene where Fipps’ crashed Jeep was located. Deputies reported multiple calls about an overturned vehicle and shots being fired in the same area. Deputies found the Wrangler around 8:45 p.m. Fipps was shot multiple times.
Thomas was arrested Jan. 16, 2023, with the assistance of Horry County Police and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas has a Tabor City address but lives in South Carolina, according to court records.
Controversy erupted in August 2023, when copies of telephone logs, detective’s notes and crime scene photographs – including several unredacted pictures of Fipps’ body – were released on social media. The individual posting the photographs claimed to have access to the sheriff’s office evidence room at the time, a claim denied by the sheriff’s office and district attorney.
The sheriff’s office and District Attorney Jon David said the materials had been turned over through discovery to defense attorney J.B. Lee, who was representing Thomas at the time. A “secured electronic system” is used to share the evidence “directly to the Defendant’s defense attorney,” David said in a press release.
The release did not specify if officials would attempt to locate the source of the leak. David did say both offices would protect evidence as part of the criminal justice process.”
Lee denied any knowledge of how the evidence was leaked. Lee later withdrew as counsel and was replaced by Geoffrey Hosford.
Thomas was released on a $500,000 secured bond on Aug.28, 2025. Thomas was out on bond for the when he was arrested Sept. 9, 2025 on drug charges, according to court records. Thomas was charged with possession of marijuana and felony possession of cocaine. Superior Court Judge Ashley Gore ordered him held without bond after that arrest. The drug case is separate from the murder trial.
During the months leading up to the trial, Fipps’ grave was vandalized. No arrests have been made in those incidents.
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