Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office

10/29/2026

A late‑night domestic confrontation turns deadly in Walterboro, and the woman convicted of killing her husband’s companion is now ordered to serve 35 years, thanks to the hard work of Assistant Solicitor Tameaka A. Legette and Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office Investigator Denise Pinckney. Walterboro Police Department Sgt. Whitlee Fisk was the lead investigator and testified during the three-day jury trial at the Colleton County Courthouse.

Read more: https://scsolicitor14.org/walterboro-woman-convicted-of-killing-husbands-companion-during-late-night-shooting/

10/28/2026

🚨 A brief argument. A gunshot to the head. A conviction.

What began as a few angry words in a Hilton Head Island apartment parking lot ended with a woman being shot in the head and another victim being threatened at gunpoint.

A Beaufort County jury has convicted Bernard Garvin Jr. of attempted murder, pointing a fi***rm at a second victim and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

The case was prosecuted by Beaufort County team attorney Rachel DeAngelis, who told jurors that Garvin allowed his ego to turn a fleeting confrontation into an act of violence with potentially devastating consequences.

Read the full story — including what happened that night, how investigators identified the shooter and the outcome of the trial — in the news release below. 👇

A Hilton Head Island man has been convicted of shooting a woman in the head after a brief verbal exchange in an apartment parking lot.

10/26/2026

It is hard to imagine, but as of this afternoon, Chief Deputy Solicitor Sean Thornton is officially a “former” Chief Deputy Solicitor. After 23 years with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Sean is officially entering retirement. 🎉⚖️ (Here are some photos and videos from a staff appreciation party for him on Oct. 16.)

But before we let him ride off into the sunset, here are a few random facts about Sean that you might not have known — even after all these years:

🎬 His favorite movie is "The Quiet Man" — in part because it stars John Wayne, whose character happens to be named Sean Thornton.

⚔️ He once sat at the opposing table. Before joining the Solicitor’s Office, Sean worked for the Public Defender’s Office.

🎓 He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University and earned his law degree from Mercer University.

🐝 He is a beekeeper. Which perhaps explains why he has always been comfortable around people who occasionally need to be stung.

⚖️ He was a member of the office’s Career Criminal Unit, prosecuting some of the circuit’s most violent and habitual offenders. In that role, he earned convictions against 54 defendants — a 97% conviction rate — including 12 life sentences.

But Sean’s impact goes well beyond those numbers.

For more than two decades, he has helped shape a generation of prosecutors through a combination of toughness, insistence on ethical rigor and — when the situation called for it — a healthy dose of compassion.

We will soldier on. But we will miss Sean. 🫡⚖️🐝

10/19/2026

🚨 Jasper County Court Update 🚨

⚖️ The 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office announces that Kendrick Shanard Smoaks, 33, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a 2025 Hardeeville domestic violence assault. He was sentenced to 10 years active time and ordered to complete domestic violence treatment.

Assistant Solicitor Marshall Frodsham secured the conviction Thursday in Jasper County General Sessions Court.

🔗 Read more: https://scsolicitor14.org/defendant-pleads-guilty-in-hardeeville-domestic-violence-case/

10/14/2026

⚖️ GUILTY: Allendale man sentenced for cousin’s murder

An Allendale County jury has found Radrick “Peanut” Latron Outing Jr. guilty of murdering his unarmed cousin, William Outing, following a family dispute in December 2024.

⚖️ After a two-day trial, Outing was convicted of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

The prosecution presented evidence including ballistic evidence, gunshot residue and DNA linking Outing to the weapon.

👉 Read the full story below to learn Outing's sentence and the evidence prosecutors Reed Evans and Kristin Perez used to convict him.

An Allendale, S.C., man has been sent to prison for slaying his cousin in a dispute over who would drive him home from an all-night party.

09/17/2026

⚖️ Preparing prosecutors. Strengthening our courts. Serving the Lowcountry.

Plans are moving forward for a new mock trial facility in Bluffton that will give prosecutors in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit a dedicated place to sharpen their courtroom skills.

As highlighted by Live 5 News, the facility will replicate a courtroom and provide space for prosecutors to practice, record and review their performances, receive feedback, and prepare witnesses for trial. It will serve prosecutors from all five counties of the circuit — Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper.

🎥 We’re grateful to Live 5 for highlighting this important investment in training and professional development — and, ultimately, in the pursuit of justice for the people of the Lowcountry.

Read the full story: Live 5 News

Some Lowcountry lawyers will soon have a facility to practice their trial skills.

09/04/2026

👮‍♂️ Please join us in welcoming Daniel Russell Jr. to our Multidisciplinary Court team!

Retired SLED agent Daniel Russell Jr. was sworn in today by Solicitor Duffie Stone as the security officer for our Multidisciplinary Court program. Daniel was accompanied by his wife, Judy.

Daniel is a certified Class 1 law enforcement officer. He spent 18 years with SLED, where he worked as an arson and alcohol-license investigator and in community relations. He also serves as a reservist with the Port Royal Police Department, where he is the department’s chaplain.

In addition to a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati, Daniel holds a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University. He is also the senior pastor of New Life Deliverance Church on St. Helena Island. 🙏

Our Multidisciplinary Court provides an alternative to prison for offenders whose substance-use disorders contribute to their criminal behavior. By combining close supervision with treatment, the program helps participants address addiction, change their lives and become productive citizens. 💪

Learn more about the program here: https://scsolicitor14.org/court-alternatives/

We’re thrilled to have Daniel on board and look forward to the experience, dedication and compassion he brings to the team! 👏

08/30/2026

🚨 **STOPPING CAREER CRIMINALS. PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES.** ⚖️

The 14th Circuit Career Criminal Unit was created to prosecute the circuit's most violent and habitual offenders. This video takes you behind the scenes to learn the history, mission and function of these dedicated prosecutors, investigators and intelligence analysts. 🎥

🔎 **Why does this matter?** Because effective prosecution isn’t just about what happened yesterday. It’s also about identifying patterns, holding repeat offenders accountable, and helping make our communities safer for tomorrow. 🛡️

https://youtu.be/QH43oqiZ1Vw?si=NJfWSaD1AAl2hXJl

The 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office Career Criminal Unit has been r...

08/24/2026

🏛️ COME SEE WHAT WE DO. MEET OUR TEAM.

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office? ⚖️

Our door is open to the community! Whether you’re interested in touring our headquarters or would like one of our team members to speak to your school, civic organization, community group, or other gathering, we’d love to hear from you. 🤝

Our office is committed not only to prosecuting crime and seeking justice, but also to educating and engaging with the communities we serve. 📚

Interested in a tour or speaking engagement?

📋 Submit a request here:

07/17/2026

🚨 UPDATE: Coligny Beach Shooting Case 🚨

The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office today announced indictments in the July 4 Coligny Beach shooting case on Hilton Head Island.

Read the full news release for details on the charges and case update.

🎥 Watch a replay of today's news conference live stream here:

BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Solicitor Duffie Stone and Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner conduct a news conference after a grand jury returned indictments against defendants in a July 4 shooting at Hilton Head Island's Coligny Beach.