HAYWORD CHAMBERS A Circuit Court judge has denied a request to lower the bond of a 50- year-old Gaffney man charged with murder.

Hayword Tony Chambers, of Broad Street, also known as “New York,” was granted a $100,000 bond last February on a murder charge in connection with the Nov. 28, 2009, shooting death of Calvin Todd Morgan, 41, inside a Sarratt Street home.

Chambers has been unable to post $100,000 bond, however, and his new defense lawyer petitioned the Cherokee County Court on Monday to lower the bond amount.

Circuit Court Judge Mark Hayes, in an order handed down Wednesday, denied the request.

“After hearing both sides, the court finds that the bond is reasonable and denies defendant’s request to reduce bond,” he wrote in his decision.

Chamber’s new layer, Mitch Slade, argued Monday that Chambers is not a danger to the community. He has no criminal record, Slade argued, and had a concealed weapons permit to carry the gun that was used the night of the shooting.

Slade further argued that Chambers was acting in self defense when he fired the gun.

“The defendant has a very solid case for defense of himself, defense of others, and lawful use of a weapon,” Slade said.

Assistant Solicitor Kim Leskanic, who represented the state, argued there’s no evidence that Morgan was armed when he was shot. She argued that Chambers did not stick around or call 9-1-1 following the shooting. “He got in his car, left it on West Rutledge Avenue and then went back to his home,” she said.

Numerous members of Morgan’s family appeared in court to oppose a reduction in bond, among them an aunt who said the family feels like it’s being victimized “over and over” again.

According to police, the shooting occurred at about 3:15 a.m. Nov. 28 inside a home at 311 Sarratt St.

Chambers, Morgan and two women were inside a room at the home when some type of argument broke out.

Chambers allegedly pulled out a gun and the two women allegedly fled the room, according to police. A witness subsequently heard a “soft pop” and Chambers allegedly fled the home.