South-Carolina
Stephen Smith’s body has been exhumed after investigation into his death re-opened during Murdaugh case
The physique of Stephen Smith, who died in 2015, has been exhumed. Smith was discovered lifeless on a street close to the South Carolina property of the Murdaugh household in 2015, and the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh prompted officers to reopen the investigation into Smith’s demise.
Smith’s mom, Sandy Smith, not too long ago began a GoFundMe and employed attorneys to pay for the investigation, saying she believes her son was murdered. Whereas officers initially mentioned Smith was hit by a automobile, they have since mentioned they’re treating his demise as a murder, the State Regulation Enforcement Division in South Carolina, referred to as SLED, mentioned earlier this month.
Eric Bland, one of many Smith household’s attorneys, posted in regards to the exhumation Sunday on Twitter, saying he and his regulation associate, Ronnie Richter, thanked all of these concerned.
“An incredible quantity of planning went into this previous weekend by lots of people together with the funeral residence, coroner, DHEC, the excavators, docs Dupre, Schultz and Haney and not less than 12 SLED Officers,” Bland wrote. “The most important thanks goes to SLED Chief Mark Keel as a result of with out him this might not have gone on with out a hitch. Chief Keel gave me his phrase and adopted by on it. I additionally wish to thank lots of you within the press who had a suspicion what was happening, however didn’t press me additional.”
He additionally thanked those that helped consolation Sandy Smith, “who was significantly grieving for her son.”
“I now imagine that Stephen can actually relaxation comfy as a result of SLED and our staff are going to do the whole lot attainable to seek out out simply how he died, ” Bland wrote.
Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, a part of the outstanding Murdaugh household, have been discovered lifeless on their household’s property in 2021. Alex Murdaugh, Maggie’s husband and Paul’s father, was convicted of the homicide early this month throughout a high-profile trial that gained widespread consideration. He was sentenced to life in jail.
Since Smith’s demise in 2015, rumors had swirled of their small city that Alex Murdaugh’s older son, Buster, and Paul have been doubtlessly concerned within the demise, however no prices have been introduced in opposition to anybody within the household, and no suspects have been named.
Because the investigation into Smith’s demise ramped up earlier this month, Buster Murdaugh launched a press release, saying: “This has gone on far too lengthy.”
“These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his demise are false. I unequivocally deny any involvement in his demise, and my coronary heart goes out to the Smith household,” he mentioned partially.
Throughout a information convention earlier this month, Bland mentioned he and Richter have been “going to rent consultants who’re going to return into this case with a recent set of eyes, with an open thoughts, with none preconceived conclusions, being goal and wherever the details go.”
He added that they might request to have the physique exhumed in the event that they discovered proof that Smith didn’t die from a hit-and-run in the midst of the street, as as soon as said by police, however some other place. He mentioned pre- and post-death communications between “totally different individuals might yield some data.”
The renewed investigation is “not an Alex Murdaugh 2.0 or any Murdaugh 2.0,” he mentioned. “This can be a Stephen Smith 2.0. It is all about Stephen.”
“Our job is to not discover out who did it, that is not what we do. We’re not regulation enforcement, this isn’t a prison case,” the lawyer mentioned, including that they are simply attempting to assist Smith’s grieving mom discover solutions about her son’s demise.
South-Carolina
South Carolina’s Shane Beamer Issues a Challenge to Gamecocks’ Fans
South Carolina will welcome the Wofford Terriers for the last home game of the season inside Williams-Brice Stadium. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer spoke on the matchup and challeneged fans to show up for a special night.
Coach Beamer opened the press conference announcing this game as the Salute to Service game. This is a special moment for Beamer as it gives his program an opportunity to thank those who have served or are currently serving.
“Saturday is our Salute The Troops game,” Coach Beamer said. “It’s always one of the highlights of the season for me. So grateful for them. All of the miliatry branches, the men and women,the sacrifices they make for their service to our country. Really proud and honored to be able to recognize them this Saturday.”
Not only is it the Salute to Service game, but with it being the last home game of the 2024 season it’s also Senior Night. Coach Beamer wants to send a special group of seniors out the right way.
“We need to make sure we honor the seniors the right way on Saturday. Gamecock Walk needs to be electric because for so many of those seniors that will be getting honored on Saturday that is the last Gamecock Walk they’ll ever get to do. We will honor them right after pre-game warmups, right around 3:30ish,” Coach Beamer said about Senior Night.
Then a challeneged was issued to Gamecock fans. This is the last time these players will get to walk into Williams-Brice Stadium and suit up in front of a raucous crowd. Coach Beamer stressed the importance of getting there early and being loud.
“I would ask all of our fans to shut the tailgates down early. There’s plenty of opportunities in the future, God willing, to tailgate. This will be the last opportunity, and only opportunity, to recognize a really special group of seniors. I would love nothing more than for Williams-Brice Stadium to be absolutely packed thirty miniutes before kickoff, so we can give those seniors that’ll be playing their last game in Williams-Brice Stadium the recognition with their families on the field and the ovation that they deserve,” Coach Beamer on the fans importance for this game.
Saturday’s matchup against Wofford will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2017. Wofford comes into the game with over 30 players on their roster from the state of South Carolina. The staff knows how excited the Terriers will be for this matchup.
“Coach Watson has done a nice job there in his time,” Coach Beamer speaks on this week’s game. “The improvements they made from last to this season are evident. Proud program with a ton of tradition. Obviously 37 players on their team from the state of south carolina, so we know how juiced up they’ll be for this week.”
Finally, Coach Beamer gave an update on the team’s injury list heading into the weekend.
“Obviously Brady Hunt won’t play. Outside of that, I would say that we’re optimistic on everyone else that didn’t finish the game. Judge Collier should be fine. He practiced today,” Coach Beamer updates the team’s injury.
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South-Carolina
South Carolina football recruiting profiles: Malik Clark
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his coaching staff have less than three weeks before National Signing Day. (Remember when recruits signed in February?) The Early Signing Period begins Wednesday, December 4th, and the majority of teams’ high school recruiting classes will be completed by the time the Early Signing Period ends on Friday, December 6th. In the weeks leading up to NSD, GamecockCentral will profile each player in the 2025 recruiting class. Today, we will look at wide receiver Malik Clark.
Malik Clark (4-star, Wide Receiver, 6’2.5″, 180 pounds)
What the rankings say: 4-star in On3 industry rankings, No. 177 nationally, No. 2 in South Carolina, No. 23 among all wide receivers; Malik Clark is a consensus 4-star prospect
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Malik Clark is a stud. The Rock Hill High School product is everything a coach could want in a wide receiver. He’s fast (clocked in the 10.5 range in the 100-meter and 4.35 in the 40-yard dash). He’s big (listed at 6’2.5″ and 180 pounds with a frame that could hold more weight). And he’s got ridiculous hands (check out the catch at this line).
Clark is a consensus 4-star prospect for a reason. He is extremely talented, and it’s not all just future potential; he’s already really good. Before the playoffs even began, Clark put together the first 1000-yard receiving season in Rock Hill High history this season.
The type of receiver who can develop into “the man” on the outside, Clark can beat defense deep but has enough wiggle in his bag to be a factor in the quick game or in the short-to-intermediate passing game, as well. He is fast, but he also plays with real physicality. He excels at winning contested catches and bouncing off of weak tackle attempts.
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Clark’s combination of size and speed will make him a special teams candidate as soon as he steps on campus. However, he’s good enough that he might play immediately on offense. Playing time will be available for the Gamecocks at wide receiver in 2025. With at least three players leaving via graduation, youngsters like Clark could force their way onto the field. In fact, it seems likely that at least one of the freshmen will earn significant early playing time. It could be the in-state standout.
Clark is one of five receiver commitments in the South Carolina football recruiting class of 2025, along with Jayden Sellers, Brian Rowe, Lex Cyrus, and Jordon Gidron. With a chance of adding another name, this year’s haul of pass-catchers is one of the best in the country.
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You can watch some of Clark’s film below.
South-Carolina
Top 2027 signal-caller recaps 'perfect' couple of days at South Carolina
Jupiter (Fla.) Spanish River quarterback Champ Smith is one of only a handful of quarterbacks in the 2027 class with an offer offer from South Carolina and the 6-foot-1, 175-pound signal caller was in Columbia over the weekend to get an in-depth look at the program as it took down Missouri in a thriller.
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