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South Carolina lawmakers pass bill to allow execution by firing squad

JURIST

The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would enable convicted individuals to elect for execution by firing squad, rather than electrocution or lethal injection. A similar bill passed the South Carolina Senate in March by a 32-11 vote.

Legal 291
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ACLU claims South Carolina prison policy banning interviews violates First Amendment

JURIST

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of South Carolina filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) on Thursday, claiming the department’s ban on news media interviews for incarcerated people violates the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

Attorney 211
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South Carolina to resume death penalty via lethal injection after 12 years

JURIST

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (DOC) filed a motion on Tuesday informing the South Carolina Supreme Court that it obtained a drug to carry out the death penalty through lethal injection. The last time South Carolina executed a prisoner was in May 2011 by lethal injection.

Court 211
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South Carolina man sues police after being ‘shot at 50 times’ during wellness check

JURIST

South Carolina man Trevor Mullinax filed a complaint against York County, South Carolina, and the York County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday claiming he was shot at “around 50 times” during a wellness check in 2021. Mullinax had a shotgun in the car with him.

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South Carolina judge finds use of firing squad, electric chair cruel and unusual

JURIST

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Jocelyn Newman ruled Tuesday that the state’s planned use of a firing squad and an electric chair for executions was unconstitutional. After the convictions, South Carolina passed Bill 200 , which changed the default method of execution in the state to electrocution.

Statute 200
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US appeals court rules students cannot be prosecuted under South Carolina school disturbance laws

JURIST

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Wednesday ruled that two South Carolina school disturbance laws cannot be used to prosecute students for disruptive behavior. The other, South Carolina’s so-called “disturbing schools law,” makes it a crime to disturb or loiter in a school building.

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South Carolina governor signs bill allowing concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns openly

JURIST

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill Monday allowing those with concealed weapons permits to carry their firearms openly in public. In a statement, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said , “the Open Carry with Training Act does not change the law on who can carry a firearm.

Laws 197