malicious injury to personal property

This answer does not create a lawyer/client relationship.  I suggest you hire a criminal lawyer to protect your rights and ask for a jury trial.  This offense is described in S.C. Code Ann. 16-11-510 Malicious Injury to Animals and other personal property(b)(3) assuming that the value of the property is $2,000 or less, this is a misdemeanor carrying, if you are found guilty, a fine of not more than $1000 or 30 days in jail or both, triable in Magistrate Court.  Just because you feel there were no witnesses does not mean that it does not come down to whether you or your neighbor's friend will be a more credible witness. Regards, I am Dr. Michael G. Sribnick, Esq. www.michaelsribnicklaw.com