The Ninth Circuit News Archive

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Wilson: Deputies acted 'reasonably'

Date: 2/26/2008

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said the two Charleston County deputies involved in the incident had reason to believe their lives were in danger and acted "reasonably and lawfully" in responding to the threat. Wilson announced her conclusion after reviewing an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division.

Goose Creek officer cleared in shooting of robbery suspect

Date: 2/22/2008

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson spoke to a State Law Enforcement Division agent about the shooting at length and reviewed the tape of the incident taken from Battista's dashboard camera. The officer acted "reasonably and lawfully," Wilson wrote in a letter to SLED.

15-year old charged with murder

Date: 1/29/2008

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder in Monday night's shooting death of Adolphus Simmons at Bradford Apartments in North Charleston.

Sanford pushes 3 key reforms at North Charleston business

Date: 1/29/2008

"The problem is the laws are a maze," said 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, who also joined the governor. "They put the officer on trial more than the offender."

Shevlino accepts plea deal

Date: 1/15/2008

Shevlino's sentence came as part of a negotiated plea with 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson. It covers the armed holdups of a Food Lion supermarket and a Subway sandwich shop at the start of the 2006 school year.

Man gets life for death of boss

Date: 1/11/2008

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, who sought the maximum punishment for Derricotte, said there is no good explanation for why Derricotte killed Skurow, a woman who was kind to him and gave him rides home from work. But the evidence against him was overwhelming, she said.

18-year-old Given up to 5 Years for Burning Dog

18-year-old Harold Goss pled guilty to torturing an animal and will spend up to five years in prison.  Goss was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence under the Youthful Offender Act, meaning Goss can be released before five years have elapsed if he demonstrates sufficient mental and emotional stability to be set free.

Man who Robbed his Mother Imprisoned for Life

Ferris G. Singley, who turned 39 on the day of his sentencing, has been convicted of burglary, kidnapping, and robbing his mother at knifepoint.

Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Sexual Abuse of Granddaughter

48-year-old Vernon Tumbleston was convicted on two counts of criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 22 years in jail.  Additionally, he was sentenced to five years of probation for committing a lewd act on a child, which was reduced from 15 years in prison.

Defendant Given 25 Years in Child Sexual Abuse Case

David Frasier was convicted Thursday of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature (ABHAN), Lewd Act on a Minor, and Dissemination of Harmful Materials to a Minor.

Charleston man gets 37 years in rape

The 71-year-old woman fought off her attacker as best she could, tearing her fingernails into his face and chest. Under her nails was just enough DNA to identify him and, ultimately, send him to jail.

Wando teen Michael Anthony sentenced to 10 years for Mount Pleasant robbery

Date: 1/11/2008

Michael Anthony pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery and was immediately sentenced to 10 years in state prison as part of a negotiated deal offered by Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.

Trial in killing, robbery begins

Date: 1/8/2008

"It was an execution by this defendant," 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson told jurors in describing the Oct. 7, 2006, killing of store manager Jennifer Skurow.

Wilson pleased with guilty verdict

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she is pleased that a Charleston jury quickly returned a guilty verdict for the killer of a Goose Creek High School honors student. Twenty-three-year-old Dominic Derricotte was sentenced to life in prison for the 2006 murder of Jennifer Skurow, a 32-year-old restaurant manager and resident of Hanahan.

Murder trial backlog courts

Date: 1/7/2008

Charleston County's record-setting murder pace in 2006, when 52 people were killed, most by gunfire, is straining the local court system.

Shooting fatality in home ruled self-defense

Date: 1/5/2008

No charges will be filed against a man who shot and killed his roommate on New Year's Eve, authorities said Friday, contending that the shooter acted in self-defense against a violent and out-of-control figure who had forced his way back into the house.

Suspect denies Mount Pleasant killing; police calm residents

Date: 12/29/2007

More than 50 Charleston National residents packed themselves into the community's country club lounge Friday night for a meeting with police and 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.

Solicitor targets repeat offenders

Date: 12/13/2007

Scarlett Wilson, Solicitor of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, speaks at a press conference Wednesday about her plans to "stop the revolving door" of allowing re-offending criminals to be released on bond over and over.

Man accused of sex crimes

Date: 12/8/2007

A 56-year-old man who once led a youth singing group in the Goose Creek area appeared in bond court Friday on charges that he molested a half-dozen boys decades earlier.

Mullen, Zumalt-hosted talks seek solution to crime problem

Date: 12/3/2007

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she would take the lead revoking bail for criminal suspects who re-offend.

Chili cookers, tasters help to build new animal society facility

Date: 12/2/2007

Animal lovers flocked to the back patio of the Charleston Maritime Center on Saturday to have a taste of some of the area's finest chili and raise money for animals. On each table was a "dog bank" that cook-off visitors filled with money. Charleston County Solicitor Scarlett Wilson's table raised the most, landing her the People's Choice Award.

Berkeley county GOP's missing funds could become criminal case

Date: 12/1/2007

A prosecutor and state investigator will decide next week whether to launch a criminal investigation into what happened to money missing from the Berkeley County Republican Party.

Chili cooks to spice up fundraiser

Date: 11/28/2007

We're not in the heart of chili country, but it sure feels like it for one special day each year

Deputy cites 'pure instinct' in confrontation with killer

Date: 11/21/2007

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she reviewed the State Law Enforcement Division's report and found McElvogue acted lawfully and appropriately. "I am grateful he handled the situation the way he did because, in the end, he probably ended up saving more lives," Wilson said.

Murder suspect back in jail

Date: 11/8/2007

A North Charleston man who skipped out on his trial for murder last month is back behind bars after his arrest Wednesday on the grounds of a homeless shelter in Berkeley County, authorities said. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said prosecutors had been prepared to bring Bradley to trial in absentia in December. They are pleased that he will now be attending the proceedings, she said. "We are very relieved that he is in custody, where we thought he should have been all along," she said.

Loaded gun found at school

Date: 11/7/2007

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson says parents should take responsibility, for their children's sake. "It's a concern that we have so many people with guns who aren't trained and educated on how to secure them and use them properly," she said. "Children are going to find guns. They are going to think they are interesting, and if we as adults don't take care to see that our firearms are secure, we are going to continue to have problems."

Scarlett Wilson becomes first woman to serve as Ninth Circuit Solicitor

Date: 7/6/2007

Veteran prosecutor Scarlett Wilson was picked to succeed Solicitor Ralph Hoisington on Friday after Gov. Mark Sanford’s first choice for the job had an abrupt change of heart. Wilson, who was Hoisington’s second-in-command, becomes the first woman to serve as the top prosecutor for the Ninth Circuit, which includes Charleston and Berkeley Counties.

Hoisington remembered for humanity, love

Date: 6/14/2007

Solicitor Ralph Hoisington was remembered for his humanity, humor and adventurous nature during a funeral service Wednesday that drew hundreds of friends and family to a chapel on the campus of The Citadel. "He got life, he took note," said Scarlett Wilson, chief deputy solicitor, who worked alongside Hoisington for more than six years.

Agee gets 35 years for beating mother to death

Date: 6/6/2007

The James Island man will spend the next 35 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter for beating his mother to death with a cast-iron frying pan.

Bessinger kidnapper sentenced to 38 years

Date: 5/9/2007

A cool-headed Tommy Bessinger Jr. tricked his kidnapper into leaving him alone long enough to get free and call the police.

Gun sale loopholes stir fears

Date: 4/29/2007

Michael Bailey was shot, arrested and deemed psychotic after threatening to kill two Charleston police officers with a knife. Too mentally ill to stand trial, he was committed to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Solicitor clears 3 officers in deaths of suspects

Date: 12/6/2006

A Charleston policeman who fatally shot a fleeing drug suspect in September and two North Charleston officers involved in a deadly Taser incident last year all acted appropriately, 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson has ruled.