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The South Carolina Supreme Court is vacating the order that released a convicted killer years before his sentence was up.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Supreme Court is vacating the order that released a convicted killer years before his sentence was up.

In a 3-2 decision, the court voted to void Judge Casey Manning’s order to release Jeroid Price, which means Price is ordered to go back to prison.

At the Wednesday hearing, justices, while concerned about the secrecy of the process, pressed both sides about its legal authority to reverse the ruling.

“We’re looking for you to give us something, some authority to do what you’re asking us to do,” Chief Justice Donald Beatty said to Attorney General Alan Wilson. “All you’re doing is saying this is a bad thing. Do something about it. This is a mess that y’all made then you’re asking us to clean it up without giving us grounds to clean it up.”

“The state failed in this process, " Wilson says. “We don’t think there should be an ability in the law for individuals like the judge, a defense attorney and a solicitor or an attorney general, myself included, should never be able to consent or enter into a secret agreement that violates the law and denies people their constitutional rights.”

Justice John Cannon Few also agreed it was something the court was “struggling with.”

Nonetheless, the majority sided with the state and reversed the order.

State Rep. Todd Rutherford, Price’s lawyer, argued that the deal struck between him, Judge Casey Manning and 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson did not require a hearing.

Before the court, Rutherford argued sending Price back to prison was essentially a death sentence because of his cooperation with the Department of Corrections to alert them of a dangerous, escaped inmate.

He says the order was sealed in order to protect his identity.

“The reason why 17-25-65 was passed in the first place was to encourage cooperation,” Rutherford says. “We do exactly the opposite when we reveal the identity of people that cooperate and they put their lives in jeopardy and we place them back into the Department of Corrections.”

Rutherford also denied that Price was a gang leader for the Bloods.

“That was a story crafted by someone inside the Department of Corrections with absolutely no evidence whatsoever,” he says. “Even the evidence presented at trial was not valid enough to say that he was a gang member.”

Reacting to the vote, Solicitor David Pascoe, who was the prosecutor of the original case, says “Justice has been done today” and was impressed by the Supreme Court’s “swift actions” in this case.

Wilson also reacted similarly to Wednesday’s ruling.

“Secret orders and backroom deals have no place in our justice system,” Wilson says. “I hope this sends a clear message to the people of South Carolina: our procedures matter and no one is above the law.”

There is no official word on where Price is right now.

When asked about his whereabouts, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott remarked it is like “starting from scratch.”

Wilson originally asked the Supreme Court to void the order because he argues the order reducing Price’s sentence is based on no motion being made by the solicitor for a sentence reduction. Wilson cites a section in South Carolina law requiring a motion be filed to the chief judge of the circuit where the case was first tried.

Carl “Dash” Smalls Jr., a West Ashley native and former University of South and North Carolina football player, was gunned down in a 2002 nightclub shooting in Columbia.

Price was convicted the following year and sentenced to 35 years in prison. But Price was suddenly released in March by Judge Manning who ordered the order sealed.

Wilson filed a motion to have that order unsealed, claiming “proper procedure” did not happen in Price’s release.

A release from Solicitor Gipson on April 19 states that the motion for Price’s release was never filed. In the release, Gipson says meetings were held with the defense and the judge to discuss filing the motion, but Price was released before such a motion was filed.

In a response filed by Rutherford, he said that an oral motion was made by Gipson requesting a sentence reduction in late 2022 during a meeting in the chambers of Judge Manning.

Court documents state the defense provided Gipson with a draft of an order to reduce Price’s sentence on Dec. 15, 2022. A final version of the motion was submitted to Manning on Dec. 30, 2022, outside of the presence of Price or his attorneys, and signed the same day, court documents state.

Rutherford’s filing states the statute cited by Wilson does not require out of concern for the safety of the person providing assistance to law enforcement and deter others from providing information.

Rutherford’s filing alleges a hearing and written motion are not required for the order to be valid.

“Therefore, because the statute does not require a hearing and does not require the filing of a written motion, Solicitor Gipson’s failures do not deprive the Court of jurisdiction, and the Order is valid,” court documents state.

The South Carolina Supreme Court unsealed the release order on April 20. The order, along with additional supporting documents that were not made public, state Price helped the Department of Corrections by putting them “on notice” about a dangerous inmate who had escaped. That inmate, Jimmy Lee Causey, escaped from the Lieber Correctional Institute in July 2017 and was captured days later in Texas.

READ MORE: Docs: Convicted killer put correctional agency on ‘notice’ about escaped inmate

But Department of Corrections spokesperson Chrysi Shain says Price did not notify the agency directly. Instead, he told someone outside of the prison about Causey’s escape, and that person told the agency about 18 hours after the escape happened.

Documents also included two affidavits written by an employee and former inmate at Lieber vouching for Price’s good deeds in prison. Among the good deeds were a 2010 incident in which Price reportedly tackled a fellow inmate who was attempting to attack a detention officer and another incident in which Price and a second inmate broke up a fight in which several inmates were attacking another detention officer. The other inmate who helped, Larry Benjamin, said he was awarded parole after that incident but Price was not.

South Carolina Department of Corrections records stated that despite the good behavior, he also had several disciplinary sanctions issued against him. At the time he was released, Price was in a New Mexico prison, which Pascoe alleged was proof of his “horrendous record.”

While state law does require convicted killers to serve 30 years in prison, there is also another law that allows for reduced sentencing for an inmate who assists authorities. The help led the solicitor’s office to file a motion for a formal sentence reduction hearing for Price. Before that hearing could ever happen, Gipson claims an order was issued, which led to Price’s release.

Family of victim demands action

Dash’s parents, Lillie and Carl Smalls, joined a group of solicitors, sheriffs and lawmakers at the State House lobby Tuesday asking for the General Assembly to take up a judicial reform package.

READ MORE: Victim’s family demands action after convicted murderer’s secret release

“This was a secret, secret deal and unlawful act,” Carl Smalls said Tuesday. “We’re here today to put a face on injustice and you’re looking at it, injustice.”

Solicitor David Pascoe, who was the prosecutor of the original case, said the attorney representing Price in the sentence reduction is a lawyer-legislator and a member of the Judicial Merit Selection Committee, which selects candidates to run for judicial office.

“Every single solicitor in this state supports the judicial reform that has been put up by these legislators. Think about that,” Pascoe said. “Democrats, Republicans, men, women, black and white, every single solicitor supports this legislation.”

READ MORE: Charleston family ‘devasted’ after son’s killer gets early release from prison

Rep. Joe White (R-Newberry) introduced one of two House bills that would not eliminate the committee but rather change who can serve on it and how its members are selected. Under White’s bill, H.4183, six of the members of the committee would be appointed by the governor, two would be appointed by the House and two by the Senate. None of the appointees could be lawyer-legislators.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

MANNING, S.C. (WIS) - Four Manning High School parents have been arrested after a large fight broke out between parents and students on school grounds.

The Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office said parents and children started engaging in what the agency described as a “brawl” in the school’s main lobby at around noon on Tuesday.

Four parents face public disorderly conduct charges, Ashley Brock, 30, Santana Butler, 37, Andrea Walters, 35, and Ebony Hilton, 39.

“It’s really sad,” Lynn Robinson, a Manning High School grandparent, said. “I mean kids are going to get into it sometimes, but a lot of times they get that from home, the examples from home. And when the parents get into it also, it’s just getting sad. And it’s getting worse these days at all the schools with the shootings and stuff. You just don’t ever know what’s going to happen.”

An incident report states that a prior physical altercation between students led to the fight.

Per district protocol, the parents were notified about that fight.

When those parents arrived at the school to pick up their children, the situation escalated before School Resource Officers and school administration could intervene.

During the incident, both students and parents had to be separated, detained, and removed from the school, according to investigators.

The incident report states that when deputies arrived, they had to try to separate Brock and Hilton.

Two students then joined in, and one student punched Brock several times in the face.

“It doesn’t make any sense fighting in school,” Pastor Sampson Pearson, a former Manning High School parent, said. “School is for where you get your academic education, not for violence. We have enough of that in the street as it is.”

EMS responded to treat Hilton for her injuries.

As Brock was being escorted to a patrol car, Walters then tried to fight her, the incident report said.

Butler was arrested after she would not stop cursing and shouting, according to an incident report.

She too tried to fight another woman.

In addition to this large fight, two others involving students happened on Tuesday, according to the CCSO.

The juveniles were separated and transported to the CCSO where petitions to Family Court were completed and submitted to the Department of Juvenile Justice and released to their parents or guardians.

A total of five children were petitioned to family court for third-degree assault and battery.

Some members of the Manning High School community were shocked by this behavior.

“It sets a bad example for all the kids when they see their parents out there,” Robinson said.

Pearson said incidents like this do not reflect well on Clarendon County.

“There has to be some type of change for we can’t have that here in our school,” he said.

The Clarendon County School District sent WIS a statement on Wednesday regarding the incident.

It reads, “A physical altercation occurred at Manning High School on March 4, 2023, between two students. As protocol, parents were contacted. As parents were called to the school to pick up their students, an altercation between the parents ensued.

As with any student altercation, district policy was followed and the students have been disciplined for their role in the altercation.

Additionally, law enforcement is involved and an investigation has been conducted into the incident. Manning High School Administration handled the incident appropriately per district policy and the school returned to its normal schedule following the incident.

As always, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priority, and we do not tolerate any form of violence on our school grounds. We want to emphasize that this incident does not reflect the values of Manning High School or the Clarendon County School District as a whole. School administration takes all necessary steps to ensure appropriate disciplinary action is taken in any situation that disrupts the learning environment. We remain committed to creating a safe learning environment for all students.”

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MANNING, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina is in the midst of an economic development boon, as companies vow to spend billions of dollars in capital investment and create thousands of new jobs.

For South Carolina as a whole to thrive, state leaders believe rural counties need to be part of the picture.

“Rural counties have to be, and the whole state needs to be involved,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.

McMaster took part in a shovel ceremony last week at Latitude Corp.’s future large metal components manufacturing facility in Clarendon County.

In what is now an empty, 50,000-square-foot building in a Manning industrial park will eventually become a $29 million workplace for 200 employees.

“I’ve been the county council chairman for 23 years, so it’s been certainly the largest [jobs] announcement since I’ve been here and then I understand even before that,” Clarendon County Council Chair Dwight Stewart said.

When the Wisconsin-based Latitude Corp. was deciding where to expand, a program spearheaded by the state’s technical college system sold them.

“The readySC program, which recruits and trains workers, convinced us that South Carolina was the right state for our business investment,” Latitude Corp. President Tom Verbos said.

That program is one tool South Carolina has to ensure rural counties can play a role in the state’s recent economic development surge.

Clarendon County is classified as a Tier III county by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, which designates all 46 counties within four tiers, based on their unemployment rates and per capita income.

Tier III and IV counties have weaker economies and are typically in more rural areas, while Tier I counties include the state’s population hubs in Greenville, Charleston, and Richland counties.

Companies that relocate to South Carolina can receive tax credits based on how many jobs they create. In Tier I and II counties, they can get $1,500 and $2,750 per each new full-time job, respectively. In Tier III and IV counties, they can receive substantially more — $20,250 and $25,000 per job, respectively.

Incentive grants from the state can be larger in these counties, too.

“I think the incentives can be important in some cases,” South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey said. “But the site itself, whether it’s ready to be developed very quickly or not, whether they’re looking specifically for a building, or what sized building they’re looking for, closeness to highway, closeness to railroads, utilities — these are all factors that come into consideration.”

Lightsey — whose department heads up efforts to attract new employers to South Carolina — points to two key areas where the state has targeted federal dollars recently: expanding broadband connectivity and strengthening rural water and sewer infrastructure.

He said those are also two areas where South Carolina can still do more to attract rural development.

“Those are all things that lay a strong predicate for economic development and growth,” he said.

The secretary said the state has also worked with rural counties through various initiatives to prepare them for economic growth.

“We’ve had a tremendous success in the last five years,” he said.

In that time, the Department of Commerce reports the number of jobs in Tier III and IV counties has increased by more than 30%.

In the last two years, more than $2.1 billion in capital investment and nearly 6,600 jobs have been announced in these areas.

Those numbers don’t include this year’s announcements, like Latitude Corp.’s in Clarendon County, where the governor presented a plaque during last week’s ceremony to make their move to South Carolina official.

“It says, ‘While I breathe, I hope,’” McMaster told Verbos as he handed over the plaque. “And we’re breathing and hoping for more and more, and we know it’s going to happen, and we welcome you and we thank you.”

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

The Clarendon County Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 14. After the approval of the agenda and July minutes, Linda Lemon presented service awards. Brandon Baxley received a certificate for serving ten years as lieutenant and company officer with the fire department. Terri Ridgeway was presented a certificate and pin for serving ten years as an executive assistant with the administrative department.

Vickie Williams and Judge Amy Land then presented a proclamation having Aug. 31 deemed Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Williams explained that the state of South Carolina received a settlement fund in the SC opioid litigation proceedings. With the funds that came to Clarendon County an Opioid Recovery Team was formed. The team is made up of people from Clarendon County Behavioral Health Center, Clarendon County EMS and Fire Rescue, Santee Mental Health, Department of Social Services (DSS), Clarendon County Detention Center and Clarendon County Drug Court. The team has increased the distribution of Narcan and other FDA approved drugs to people who do not have access to them or whose insurance does not cover them. They have provided extensive training to law enforcement, health care providers and legal and court staff along with bringing in a full time interventionist. The team has been able to provide a Narc scanner in the field and at the Clarendon County Detention Center that immediately identifies opioids. Willams stated that in the last eight months the county has had 247 overdoses. Council passed the proclamation unanimously declaring Aug. 31 Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

Brad Reynolds Project manager for South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) presented plans to council on the construction of the I-95 Bridge Replacement. There are two large bridges and two smaller structures that will be replaced. The purpose of the project is to maintain connectivity and safety. The need stems from the current bridge having narrow shoulders causing safety issues with no way for travelers to get out of the travel lane and are not up to current state safety standards. Deck repairs are needed as well with continued deterioration that could in the future lead to load restrictions and long detours if not addressed. The plan is to replace the bridge while maintaining traffic. Remove the existing structure when the new one is complete while maintaining two lanes at all times. There will also be a fourteen foot shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians on the southbound side. The new lanes will be wide enough so that if in the future I-95 is widened to six lanes, it will accommodate. The environmental document is scheduled to be done in the fall of 2023, followed by procurement in early 2024 and awarding of the construction contract in the spring of 2025 with the repair in 2026-2029, tentatively. The cost of the new bridges are approximately $350 million. So far, $3 million has been secured for the project and SCDOT has a plan in place working for a grant for the remaining funding needed. The new structure should last 75 to 100 years.

The chairman for the Clarendon County Cultural Complex Committee Chris Rowland presented council with the committee’s recommendations for Weldon Auditorium. The general considerations were to increase resources such as contracting services, increased staffing, professional consultation for specific projects, and to supplement the allocations resources for appropriated and/or necessary policies and regulations for day to day operations of the complex while keeping tax payers in mind. The group recommended lifting the county alcohol ordinance on the property to expand opportunities for events and income. They recommended forming a permanent commissioned based advisory board to assist with grant opportunities, event soliciting, marketing and volunteers. They’d like to designate a staff person to oversee concessions and interactions with local business people to meet several times a year at council’s discretion and partner with local high schools for internship possibilities, and implement an additional full time position to work with the advisory board and grant writer. There is currently one person in place now. The committee stated one person can not do all of this. There should be a director of operations, repairs, and maintain event records along with a full time commission based events coordinator. They also recommended stage expansion, replacing existing lighting with LED lights, landscaping, and more seating options with larger seats.

Rowland then addressed the committee’s recommendations for Weldon operations. They recommended an annual maintenance contract for upkeep of the building and making sure the renovations are done right and kept to standards. With revenue the committee recommended updating the rental price to current economy standards with more competitive rates. A commission based model for large productions and out of town entertainment was recommended along with updating and exploring concession items and options. It was recommended to avoid free tickets for events hosted or sponsored by Weldon. They also recommended a profit loss sheet be updated monthly. The committee also shared ideas on Food Truck Fridays, comedians, magic shows, conventions, summer series, movies,concerts, and seminars with season passes. It was suggested that local businesses can be more involved by collaborating with Weldon in different ways, such as giving discounts on customers bills if the customers present their ticket stubs at time of purchase.

Funding was next on the list of recommendations. Speaking for the group, Rowland suggested reaching out to state delegates such as Congressman Clyburn, local businesses, and organizations to make requests for additional repairs, programming or advisory. The committee also recommended hiring a part time production based grants writer for the complex.

The council then addressed a request to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Clarendon County, Orangeburg County and SCDOT regarding public safety response on the Palmetto Trail on highway 301’s pedestrian bridge. Currently the bridge is shut down to pedestrian traffic. South Carolina appropriated funds to SCDOT to provide work for repair and it is nearing completion. The signed matter would mean that Clarendon County would, along with Orangeburg County, provide emergency responses to the bridge and be responsible for all signage and markers on the Clarendon side. This passed unanimously.

The council then discussed a request to approve a memorandum of agreement between the SC Department of Juvenile Justice and Clarendon County relating to the provision of secure detention services with SCDJJ. The agreement is an annual agreement for juvenile individuals arrested in Clarendon to be housed in SCDJJ, as the current detention center in Clarendon is not equipped to utilize the juveniles. This was passed unanimously.

A third request to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Summerton and Clarendon County related to the county’s building code officials. Clarendon has the same agreement in place with the City of Manning, when someone goes to the city requesting authorization for building permits, the city approves and then the agreement would come in as the building officials from the country would conduct the inspections. The county receives all the fees from the work. This passed unanimously.

A public hearing was then held on ordinance 2023-04 which is an ordinance to authorize the transfer of real property with improvements, owned by Clarendon County South Carolina as identified as Clarendon County tax map parcel numbers 078-10-03-039-00 and 078-10-03-030-00. Mary Franklin Harvin donated land to the Town of Summerton for a new park which is open to the public. Per an agreement with Summerton, the county constructed the property and facility, the county transfers the property now that the construction is done, and the Town of Summerton will maintain the upkeep moving forward. A consideration for a second reading took place and was passed unanimously. The park will be named in dedication to the late Representative Cathy Harvin.

Public hearing for ordinance 2023-25 an ordinance to amend the official zoning map for tax map parcel numbers 217-00-00-008-00, 216-00-05-048-00 from the performance zone (PZ) to agricultural LL (AGLL). The purpose for this is placement for a motocross track strip located at 1749 Driggers Road. A second reading took place and passed unanimously.

A consideration of first reading of ordinance 2023-06, an ordinance authorizing pursuant to Title 12, chapter 44 of the code of laws of South Carolina 1976, as amended the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement by and between Clarendon County South Carolina, and a company identified for the time being as project Hailstorm, acting for itself, one or more current or future affiliates and other project companies (collectively ‘company): providing for a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes incentive; providing for a special source revenue credit; modifying a joint county industrial for a special source revenue credit; modifying a joint county industrial and business park of Clarendon and Suter counties so as to enlarge the park; acknowledging an economic development grant; and other related matters. Project ‘Hailstorm’ will bring around 200 jobs to the county and the company is investing around 30 million dollars with land, building and equipment. The official announcement should come in September. This passed unanimously and a public hearing will be held at the next council meeting in September.

Winds blew through the front windows of a business, hospitalizing two employees.

MANNING, S.C. — A storm Sunday afternoon caused damage to homes and businesses in Manning, South Carolina.

The weather brought with it scary moments for Richard Johnson as he worked at the Dollar General in Manning when strong winds came rolling through. He was in the store with his manager and another customer at the time.

"She was locking the door but she couldn't, like, keep the door closed," Johnson said. "So, she locked the door and, then, we all rushed back to the back office and then we waited there for ten, maybe 15 minutes."

According to Manning Mayor Julia Nelson, high winds resulted in the hospitalization of two employees inside the Advanced Auto Parts store.

"We recently learned that the wind actually picked them up and threw them in the back of the aisle [of] the store," she said. "So, they've been checked out and appear to be in good health."

Though one employee declined an interview, she said it was a terrifying ordeal and is thanking God she was able to walk out.

That area got a direct hit from the storm's winds, with damage to an IGA and a furniture store that had to put trash cans out for ceiling leaks.

Across the street, a large sign was knocked down. Thankfully no one was in the stores at the time, the owner said, and it shouldn't be hard to get a replacement.

A short drive from the shopping center, J.C. Britton Community Park was also hit with flood lights thrown to the ground, trash cans spread throughout the field, and aluminum bleachers turned upside down.

In the neighborhood next to the park, the damage wasn't as drastic, with some branches and limbs scattered in the road. Mayor Nelson said people should be on the lookout for any lingering damage to their homes.

"If they, of course, smell something, electricity or whatever, they of course want to call 911," she said. "Other than that, we suggest they contact their homeowner's insurance company to go ahead and file a claim."

By the early afternoon, crews were back on the scene by Advanced Autoparts. And the IGA store was able to reopen.