Man gets life without parole

3 months out of prison, he punched woman in face, threatened her with screwdriver

By Schuyler Kropf (Contact)

The Post and Courier

Thursday, October 23, 2008

A jury took 18 minutes Wednesday to convict a man who attacked a West Ashley church Sunday school director last year and threatened her with a screwdriver.

He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for what was his second violent "strike."

Daniel Edward Dickson, 45, was convicted of attempted armed robbery and kidnapping. He has a prior conviction for assault and battery with intent to kill in 1989 and served 19 years in prison. Dickson had been released from prison for only three months when he was arrested again.

"Dickson is precisely the type repeat offender that the life without parole statute is designed to target," 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said afterward. "With this verdict, citizens of South Carolina will never have to fall prey to him again."

Because of Dickson's record and the "life" behind bars notice, Dickson faced a mandatory life sentence, Wilson said.

On June 29, 2007, the victim, a 49-year-old grandmother, was leaving work when Dickson reached into her vehicle and punched her in the jaw, authorities said. He climbed in while holding a screwdriver to her throat and demanded money, repeatedly threatening to kill her.

Officers later responded to witness calls about the carjacked Ford Explorer at the nearby Ruby Tuesday's restaurant on Savannah Highway, and boxed in the vehicle, police said at the time.

"Without (police) efforts, the victim's nightmare may not have ended so well," said Assistant Solicitor Michael Sahn, who tried the case.

Sentencing was imposed by Circuit Judge Markley Dennis.

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.