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After sexual attack Sunday, Spartanburg sheriff urges women to carry gun (AUDIO)

October 31, 2011 by

A judge has denied bail for a man accused of trying to rape a woman at a park in Spartanburg County.

Spartanburg County Sheriffs deputies say 46 year old Walter Lance sexually assaulted a woman, then stole her car Sunday afternoon at Milliken Park. Lance was arrested Monday morning and charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping and one count of grand larceny greater than $10,000.

Sheriff Chuck Wright said Lance had already been convicted of 20 charges since 1983. “I can tell you, our form of justice is not making it,” he told reporters in a press conference announcing the arrest. “This fella… has been in jail more times than I have and I’m the admin over at the jail. He seems to get out quicker than I can get out. And I am aggravated”

During a press conference announcing the arrest, Wright said he would recommend that young women travel in groups and get a concealed weapons permit. (AUDIO: Wright: Don’t go for the mace, go for the concealed weapons permit (0:16))

AUDIO: Wright’s entire briefing (4:41)

The woman told deputies she was walking her dog when Lance approached her. She said he briefly spoke with her before grabbing her and dragging her into the woods. He made her strip, threatening to kill her. However, he was unable to rape her and stole her car instead. She later identified Lance in a lineup.

A judge refused to release Lance on bond, citing his criminal history.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, News

15 indicted in Lancaster County gang bust

October 31, 2011 by

Law enforcement officials announced Monday that 15 people had been indicted for their role in a Lancaster County gang.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile and Lancaster Police Chief Harlean Howard Monday to announce the arrests. Faile said a total of 15 suspected gang members now face a total of 53 felony indictments. He said the investigation began in October 2009 after a “rash of suspected gang-related crimes.”

“It has not been an easy or a quick task and it by no means is finished,” Faile told reporters, “But we have taken the first major step and dealt a major blow to a suspected criminal gang.”

State Attorney General Alan Wilson said the charges include attempted murder, armed robbery, weapons charges, and criminal conspiracy. “We’re not talking about the kinds of gangs you see in old movies standing on the street spraying graffiti on bridges and walls,” Wilson said, “We’re talking about organized crime and the kind of organized crime that can have deadly consequences for communities.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, News

Justice Department sues to stop new immigration law

October 31, 2011 by

The U.S. Justice Department is suing to stop South Carolina’s new illegal immigration law from going into effect. The federal agency is asking a judge to stop the law passed earlier this year.

Federal officials say South Carolina’s law, which gives police the power to check a person’s immigration status, violates a person’s right to due process. Police could only do the check if they arrest or stop the suspect for another reason. The ACLU and other civil rights groups have already sued to stop the law, saying it will lead to racial profiling.

Tony West heads the Justice Department’s Civil Division– the office responsible for federal lawsuits. He says only the federal government has the power to enforce the nation’s immigration laws. “A state may not establish its own immigration policy or enforce state laws in a manner that interfere with federal immigration law,” he said in a conference call with reporters Monday, “Because South Carolina’s law does precisely that, it crosses a constitutional line.”

However, state officials like Governor Nikki Haley say they are only taking action because the federal government is not doing its job enforcing the law. “As the daughter of immigrants who came to this country legally, Gov. Haley understands that no American value is more sacred than the rule of law,” her office said in a statement, ”That’s what this is about – nothing more, nothing less.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Featured, Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Justice Department approves new congressional districts

October 31, 2011 by

South Carolina’s new congressional seats moved one major step forward with the Justice Department’s approval of the state’s redistricting plan Monday.

The South Carolina General Assembly approved the new districts in July. However, because of South Carolina’s troubled past with civil rights, the Justice Department also has to ”pre-clear” the new map. That blessing came down Monday, as the agency said it will not challenge the districts drawn by the Republican-led body.

However, the plans still are not finalized, especially as Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian says he will sue to challenge them in the coming weeks. Harpootlian says the proposal relies on an outdated method of creating majority-minority districts– that is, districts where minorities (usually African-Americans) outnumber whites. Harpootlian and other Democrats accused Republicans of purposely grouping minority communities together to thin the reliably-Democratic voters out of Republican-held districts.

Because of population growth, South Carolina picks up a new seventh seat in 2012, which the new plan centers in the Pee Dee area. Meanwhile, the First District represented by Congressman Tim Scott slides away from Myrtle Beach down the coast to include Beaufort, while the Sixth District under Jim Clyburn drops out of the Pee Dee and moves more into the Savannah River valley. Second District Congressman Joe Wilson’s seat moves out of the Beaufort area and tightens in the Midlands.

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Clyburn: Supercommittee does two-a-days to make deadline (AUDIO)

October 31, 2011 by

Clyburn is optimistic panel will make the deadline

Congressman Jim Clyburn today spoke to the press about the work of the Committee of 12, a select group of members of Congress who must cut $1.2 trillion in spending by November 23. The panel is the solution to a political gridlock between Capitol Hill Republicans and the president.

If they cannot agree on spending cuts, that will trigger a $600 billion cut to entitlements and $600 cut from defense.

Rep. Clyburn says this is not the optimal way to make these decisions, but the prescribed cuts are motivation for the panel to succeed. 

 AUDIO: Clyburn on Baucus plan, revenue increases, affects of triggered cuts (9:00)

The panel has been meeting often, says Clyburn, most of those in private. South Carolina Radio Network’s Ashley Byrd spoke with him about such important decisions being made behind closed doors.

AUDIO: Clyburn on private meetings, pledges impede work.  (4:30)

We’ll have more from Clyburn tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Filed Under: Featured, News, Politics & Government
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