South-Carolina
Biden commuted 21 South Carolinians. Who are they and when are their release dates?
More than a dozen federal inmates convicted in South Carolina were among the nearly 1,500 who had sentences commuted by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
In a move the White House said was the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, Biden commuted 1,499 sentences and granted 39 pardons for people convicted of non-violent crimes. Two South Carolina women, Denita Parker of Gaffney and Shawnte Williams of Columbia, received pardons.
The White House said all who received the commuted sentences had been serving the remainder of their sentences at home in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pardon forgives a crime, while commutations leave the convictions in place but eliminate or reduce a sentence.
The South Carolina list of people commuted, along with their new set release dates include:
- James Brown, 46, set release date of Feb. 13, 2027
- Sirrico Burnside, 53, set release date of Feb. 20, 2027
- Benard Clark, 54, set release date of Nov. 06, 2025
- Hendrick Cousar, 45, set release date of March 20, 2028
- Melvin Daniels, 34, set release date of Aug. 16, 2025
- Vernon Edwards, 48, set release date of Oct. 8, 2027
- Antonio Gaddist, 49, set release date of Dec. 24, 2027
- Lidderick Gomez, 30, set release date of Dec. 18, 2026
- Shawn Green, 46, set release date of May 6, 2025
- Frank Hamilton, 47, set release date of July 5, 2025
- James Harper, 51, set release date of March 10, 2025
- Terrence Hodge, 36, set release of date Feb. 7, 2025
- Joseph Dee Jacobs, 46, set release of date Dec. 22, 2024
- Lee Lindsey, 38, set release date of March 28, 2027
- April Miller, 50, set release date of Dec. 22, 2024
- Devonte Prioleau, 32, set release date of May 25, 2025
- Gena Randolph, 50, set release date of Jan. 4, 2025
- Flint Randolph, 62, set release date of May 14, 2025
- James Snowden III, 40, set release date of June 11, 2025
- Roderick Strong, 45, set release date of Feb. 11, 2028
- Tara Thompson, 45, set release date of May 1, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Advocates, caregivers, patients, and community leaders gathered at the South Carolina State House on Friday for the inaugural South Carolina Sickle Cell Day.
Organizers said the event focused on raising awareness of sickle cell disease.
The South Carolina CBO Collective Caucus hosted the event at 10 a.m., coinciding with World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth.
Organizers said the gathering brought together healthcare professionals, legislators, advocates, and supporters from across the state to discuss education, support, and action related to sickle cell disease.
The program is designed to amplify the voices of individuals and families impacted by the disease and encourage conversations about healthcare access, advocacy, research, and community support, organizers said.
Attendees heard personal stories and learned about challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease.
“World Sickle Cell Day is a powerful call to action for all of us,” said founder and CEO of The B Strong Group Brenda Green. She said the collaboration expands support, strengthens community response, and stands with affected families.
The B Strong Group, founded in 2017 and based in Columbia, is a nonprofit organization focused on sickle cell awareness, advocacy, and caregiver support.
The group organizes blood drives, caregiver workshops, and awareness campaigns under the motto “Educate, Advocate, Empower.”
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
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