One last push:
SPARKING AN INTEREST IN
LAW ENFORCEMENT Students get educational, interactive experience in possible career field A4
USC hopes to make a final run in SEC tourney
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LOCAL: 2 arrested in illegal gambling probe A2 VOL. 118, NO. 123 WWW.THEITEM.COM
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
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Jury acquits man of murder BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com BISHOPVILLE — Wednesday was LeQuint Johnson’s first night as a free man in more than eight years. A jury acquitted the
25-year-old Bishopville native of murder and armed robbery charges on Wednesday at the Lee County Courthouse. “I’m instructing the jail not to hold you for any longer,” said 3rd Circuit Judge George C. James.
Johnson was first arrested in November 2004 and charged with the shooting deaths of 27-year-old Tyrone Dinkins and 54-year-old Joseph “Bud” Reames. He was convicted of two counts of murder and one count each
of armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in 2007 along with co-defendant Sharod Frazier, who is serving consecutive life sentences for the murders. Johnson’s two consecu-
tive life sentences were vacated in 2010 by the state Supreme Court, which ordered a new trial. In its opinion, the court wrote that a sheriff ’s investigator’s SEE TRIAL, PAGE A8
Event honors students who remain positive while overcoming adversity BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com Parents want their children to try hard and are often touched when others see that effort. “It’s just a great achievement,” Wendell Moore said. “My son has overcome some things. He’s been through a lot.” Joseph Moore, an eighth-grader at Furman Middle School, was one of 58 students from Sumter School District and two local private schools celebrated for addressing challenges with good character traits. “Student Recognition Night is a time for the community to come together and applaud our young people who, in spite of adversity, still demonstrate the character traits of determination, compassion, endurance, generosity and honor,” said Michele Moses, secretary of the Sumter Prevention Team. “Sometimes we forget that our students are dealing with the very adult issues of the death of a family member, homelessness and physical challenges. I am so
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
New pope hails from Argentina PHOTOS BY JADE ANDERSON / THE ITEM
From left, Furman Middle School students Justin Floyd, a sixth-grader, and Dre Riley, a seventhgrader, get down during the Standing Ovation’s performance Tuesday. Students from Sumter School District and two local private schools were celebrated during Sumter Prevention Team’s Student Recognition Night for addressing challenges with good character traits.
proud of what each of these students has accomplished, and we’re always honored to recognize such incredible students.” The Sumter Prevention Team is a coalition of local
Superintendent Randolph D. Bynum Sr. presents Aaron Morales, a kindergartner at Oakland Primary, with a certificate during the event.
20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
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agencies and businesses whose purpose is to work together to prevent problems for youths in the community, and Student Recognition Night is one of the group’s major projects each year. Principals, guidance counselors and teachers from throughout Sumter County are invited to nominate students from all grade levels. A maximum of two students from each school are selected by members of the Sumter Prevention Team, and during Tuesday’s ceremony, each student received a certificate and a lapel pin. “It builds self esteem
BY NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press
MORE INSIDE See more photos from The Sumter Prevention Team’s Student Recognition Night on page A3.
and confidence,” said Roosevelt Miott, principal at F.J. DeLaine Elementary School. “Some of these students would not be recognized otherwise. I’m proud to see some that (have) gone on to Furman (Middle School) and have done great things.” About 100 students were nominated this year, Moses said. “We’re being recognized for what people
VATICAN CITY — Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope Wednesday, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Francis, associating himself with the humble 13th-century Italian preacher who lived a life of poverty. Looking stunned, Francis shyly waved to the crowd of tens of thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the announcement, marveling that the cardinals needed to look to “the end of the earth” to find a bishop of Rome. In choosing a 76-year-old pope, the cardinals clearly decided that they didn’t need a vigorous, young pope who would reign for decades
SEE STUDENTS, PAGE A8
DEATHS Stuart J. Hovermale Thomas Dillon Cecil D. Casselman Katie Little Lottie B. Davis Deacon Billy J. Ellis
76-year-old to be known as Francis
Ruth Chapman Donald H. Kenney Carrie Smith Catherine J. Chappell John F. Johnson B4, B5
SEE POPE FRANCIS, PAGE A6
OUTSIDE MOSTLY SUNNY Nice today; chilly with increasing clouds tonight HIGH: 57 LOW: 36 A8
INSIDE 2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES
Classifieds Comics Daily Planner Opinion Television
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