South-Carolina

South Carolina sheriff who ordered deputy to shock inmate six times found not guilty

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2024

South Carolina sheriff who ordered deputy to shock inmate six times found not guilty

A South Carolina sheriff who ordered a deputy to repeatedly shock a noncompliant inmate with a Taser was found not guilty of federal civil rights violations.

“Thank the good Lord, thank the good Lord, I’m probably going to go to sleep thanking the good Lord,” former Malboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon said outside the courthouse.

He was arrested and suspended in 2021 for an incident from the previous year, where he was filmed on body camera video ordering a deputy to shock inmate Harrel Johnson six times, shouting, “Pop it to him.”

Lemon, whose term was slated to end this year, isn’t running for re-election.

The FBI and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigated the incident, and the state of South Carolina originally filed charges against Lemon and his deputy but dropped them in March 2024.

Lemon was eventually charged in federal court with deprivation of civil rights.

At trial, prosecutors argued Lemon was never Taser certified and shouldn’t have ordered a deputy to use the weapon, while a member of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy testified that officers are only allowed to use a Taser on someone three times.

During the week-long trial, Lemon argued he intervened in the Johnson matter because he knew the man’s family and thought he could be useful in getting Johnson, who had a history of mental health problems, to enter his cell.

A criminal justice expert for the defense argued the six shocks weren’t excessive given that Johnson lunged at the sheriffs when his handcuffs were taken off.

“The bottom line is Charles did not want to plead guilty because he didn’t think he was guilty. He spent his entire life trying to be a good law enforcement officer, and this was a dangerous situation in which he felt — and the jury vindicated his feelings — that his actions were justified,” defense attorney Morgan Martin told local paper The State on Monday.

“We are disappointed with the outcome, but we respect the jury’s verdict,” the office of U.S. Attorney for South Carolina Adair Boroughs said in a statement to the paper.

Lemon’s deputy, Andrew Cook, pleaded guilty to a federal charge earlier this year.

The state attorney general’s office told Queen City News it is considering whether to pursue renewed charges.

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South-Carolina

Lulu Kesin of Greenville News wins writing awards for South Carolina basketball

Published

11 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Lulu Kesin of Greenville News wins writing awards for South Carolina basketball

Lulu Kesin of the Greenville News was honored two times by the Associated Press Sports Editors in its annual sports journalism contest.

Sports editors and journalists throughout the country voted on top-10 placements in various writing, website, print newspaper and photography categories, which were split into four divisions based on newspaper circulation and digital readership size. The Greenville News is in the D Division.

The exact order of finish in the writing contests will be announced later.

Kesin was selected in the top 10 for beat writing and short feature.Kesin covers South Carolina’s athletic department with a focus on women’s basketball and football. Her work on the women’s basketball beat was honored in both categories, as she followed coach Dawn Staley’s journey to a second straight national championship game and fifth consecutive Final Four.Her short feature on Sania Feagin highlighted the then senior’s journey to an SEC Tournament title. Kesin spoke with Feagin’s mother fresh off the joyful win, capturing the emotional element to the day.She then dove into Staley’s timeout philosophy to learn more about one of the most successful coaches in college basketball through a fresh, new perspective.She rounded out her March Madness reporting with a story on a young fan whose life was changed by the women’s basketball team before Kesin broke the biggest women’s basketball transfer news of the offseason, reporting that star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley was going to leave the program before all other media outlets did.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for March 8, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for March 8, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 3-3-3, FB: 1

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 7-8-0-4, FB: 1

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from March 8 drawing

06-10-14-29-34

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South Carolina women’s basketball vs. Texas live: SEC final highlights

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina women’s basketball vs. Texas live: SEC final highlights

For the second straight season, South Carolina and Texas will meet in the SEC Tournament Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks and Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns will matchup on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the title game.

South Carolina advanced by beating LSU in the semifinals behind 22 points from Raven Johnson. Texas was powered by 31 points from Madison Booker in its semifinal victory over Ole Miss.

The Gamecocks and Longhorns split regular season meetings, with each game decided by a single possession. Texas won a non-conference clash in Las Vegas by two points, while South Carolina took a three-point victory at home in Columbia.

Staley has had Schaefer’s number in the postseason though, as she’s 8-0 all-time against him in March and April. That record includes wins for the Gamecocks over the Longhorns in the SEC title game and Final Four last year.

The Longhorns are out to an early double-digit lead over the Gamecocks at the end of the first quarter behind 13 points from Justice Carlton, who is shooting 6-of-7 from the floor.

Texas opened the game with a 14-0 run before South Carolina coach Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark. Ta’Niya Latson swished a 3-pointer on a Raven Johnson assist out of that break, but couldn’t piece together a meaningful run to dent the Longhorns’ lead.

The Longhorns are shooting 68% from the floor and have scored 10 points off five South Carolina turnovers.

The SEC Championship game between South Carolina and Texas has tipped off on ESPN News because Duke and Louisville are in overtime in the ACC title game in Duluth, Georgia. The clash between the Gamecocks and Longhorns will switch back to ESPN when the ACC game finishes.

Less than four minutes into the game, Texas has a 14-0 lead on 7-of-7 shooting. Justice Carlton has six points. Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark in the first quarter.

South Carolina Gamecocks starting lineup

Head coach: Dawn Staley

25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 Senior
00 Ta’Niya Latson | G 5-9 Senior
5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 Junior
8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 Sophomore
11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 Senior

Texas starting lineup

Head coach: Vic Schaefer

11 Justice Carlton | F 6-1 Sophomore
25 Breya Cunningham | F 6-4 Junior
35 Madison Booker | F 6-1 Junior
7 Jordan Lee | G 6-0 Sophomore
3 Rori Harmon | G 5-6 Senior

What time is South Carolina vs. Texas?

Date: Sunday, March 8
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville)

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks face Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns in the championship game of the SEC Women’s Tournament at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, March 8 in Greenville, South Carolina.

South Carolina vs. Texas : TV, streaming

The game between South Carolina and Texas will air live on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call. Streaming options for the game include Sling TV.

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