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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015
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Google-developed computer program bests humans at Space Invaders A6
Domestic violence bill heads to House Measure includes 10-year gun bans for offenders BY HAMLET FORT hamlet@theitem.com The South Carolina Senate passed new legislation on criminal domestic violence Wednesday in a 38-3 final vote. The bill includes new language that increases penalties for those convicted of domestic violence, including a ban on convicted abusers possessing firearms for a period of 10 years. The bill reorganizes criminal domestic violence in a way similar to assault and other offenses, into first, sec-
Clarendon development board names new director
its own criminal domestic violence bill up for legislation. “Both the House and the Senate had their own study committees that had hearings, and those hearings were with the goal of putting together a bill that both sides can agree with,” said Rep. David Weeks, D-Sumter. Weeks said he doesn’t foresee any major hurdles in reconciling differences between the newly passed Senate bill and the House’s. Both Weeks and McElveen said the biggest possible hurdle for a bill endorsed by both houses revolves around the gun ban stipulation. “It became a Second Amendment issue for some people,” said McElveen, referring to the right to bear arms. Preventing the possession of firearms is a controversial issue across the country, but McElveen said violent offenders should be prepared to give up particu-
ond and third degrees, according to Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter. McElveen served on the subcommittee that heard testimony during debate of the bill and the judiciary committee that brought the bill to the Senate floor. For first- and second-degree criminal domestic violence, convicted abusers will receive a 10-year ban on possession of firearms. For third-degree cases, a judge would have to approve the gun ban for as many as five years. McElveen says the bill will afford prosecutors more tools to convict domestic abusers and judges more discretion in assigning degrees of severity to certain cases. “We passed a strong law,” said McElveen. “I’m very proud of what we got out.” The bill will go before the House of Representatives, while the House has
lar rights. “The majority (of legislators) realized that if you don’t want to lose your rights, don’t engage in illegal conduct,” he said. “It’s that simple.” South Carolina is consistently ranked among the worst states in the nation for death by firearm in domestic violence cases. Weeks and McElveen say this bill is a step in the right direction for “changing the culture” in the state. “Until there’s a change in the culture, there will be problems,” Weeks said, “I think the Senate bill addresses ways to change the culture.” Weeks said the House has formed an advisory committee that studies the social factors that give rise to criminal domestic violence cases. One recommendation the committee has made for the House bill, said Weeks,
SEE BILL, PAGE A8
Inmates assault officers
BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Clarendon County Council and the Clarendon County Development Board have appointed George Kosinski the new executive director for the county’s development board. Kosinski will start on March 16. Kosinski is currently the director of existing industry and business development for the Sumter County Development Board. Kosinski will be responsible for helping develop and implement economic KOSINSKI development strategies, as well as facilitating industrial, business and commercial investment throughout the county. Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart said Kosinski’s history in economic development and business growth helped cement his hire. “George Kosinski comes highly recommended,” Stewart said. “We’re fortunate to have him and know that he will come in and hit the ground running.” Clarendon County Administrator David Epperson said he was very excited to have Kosinski join the county’s development board. “I’m looking forward to working with him to move Clarendon County forward in the area of economic development,” Epperson said. Before accepting his position with the board, Kosinski served as director of existing industry and business development for eight years with the Sumter County Development Board where he aided in attracting $900 million in capital investment, 4,200 new jobs and the retention of 850 jobs. Kosinski’s background also includes product negotiations
SEE DIRECTOR, PAGE A8
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Vehicles from various law enforcement agencies rush to Lee Correctional Institution after an incident at the prison Thursday afternoon. For more information about the facility and its history of incidents like Thursday’s, see page A8.
Lee Correctional on lockdown after hourslong incident BY HAMLET FORT hamlet@theitem.com No officers or guards were taken hostage during an incident at Lee Correctional Institution on Thursday, South Carolina Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stephanie Givens said Thursday.
According to a news release, inmates began assaulting seven inmates shortly after noon Thursday. Earlier in the day, officials from the corrections department would only say they were dealing with the security disturbance, which reportedly drew a cluster of
S.C. Law Enforcement Division agents to the maximum-security prison in Bishopville. Guards were not allowing members of the public onto prison grounds as of 4:30 p.m. but could be seen waving unmarked SLED vehicles into the front entrance.
Armed guards could also be seen patrolling the rooftops of the prison. Corrections officials were not providing much detail about the incident as of Thursday night but promised to release more information as the situation develops.
Murder most fowl: 2,000 chickens dead, no leads BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office is on the search for a suspect responsible for the destruction of property on a farm on S.C. 261 on Feb. 20. Nearly 2,000 dead chickens were discovered at the farm along with more
than $1,500 worth of damage to three chicken houses. According to a report from the sheriff’s office, the suspect cut the wires to the chicken houses’ alarm system. The suspect then turned off the heaters to the farm’s chicken houses and turned on the air-conditioning units and fans. The property suffered bro-
DEATHS, B4 AND B5 Elizabeth Ballard Johnnie P. Arnold Jr. Elihu McDowell Sr. Richard Johnson Jr. Harel Benjamin Jackie R. Duignan
Mattie G. Jones Patty Nelson Lilly C. Grant Geoffrey A. Alsbrooks Robert Lee Cocklin William Keith Sr. Richard M. Vohs
Albert Bradley Jr. Jerry Singleton James E. Temoney Jobe M. McLeod Naomi China Miriam Dixon
ken water lines and flooding inside. The sheriff’s office said that this is an ongoing investigation and that it cannot name any person of interest at this time. Clarendon County Sheriff ’s Office announced Thursday it will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. today in Manning to address an incident that may be related.
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3 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 113
Mostly sunny today and warmer, mostly clear and cold tonight; slight chance of rain. HIGH 52, LOW 27
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