More plead guilty in check-cashing scam
COLUMBIA --- Prosecutors say there have been more guilty pleas in a check-cashing scheme to defraud South Carolina's social services agency of up to $5.2 million.
U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins says Sandra Alston, Eddie Belton, Barbara Boyd, Sophia Clark, John Cannon, Lawanda Gadson, Brenda Goodson, Mary Louise Hayes and Curtis Hollins pleaded guilty Thursday to theft of federal program funds.
About two dozen people have been accused of helping former Department of Social Services finance director Paul Moore take the money over nearly five years..
Mental screen sought in trick-or-treat killing
COLUMBIA --- An attorney for a convicted drug dealer who police say gunned down a trick-or-treater because he thought he was being robbed wants a mental evaluation for his client.
Defense attorney John Hare argues in court documents filed Thursday that Quentin Patrick appears to be suffering from a mental disease or defect and doesn't understand the case.
Police say Mr. Patrick emptied an AK-47 into the front of his house when he heard someone knock and saw people wearing masks. T.J. Darrisaw, 12, died of at least 29 bullet wounds.
Mr. Patrick has pleaded not guilty to murder and a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Possible E.coli prompts beef products recall
SENECA, S.C. --- A South Carolina meat processor has recalled some beef products because of possible contamination by E. coli bacteria.
Snow Creek Meat Processing owner Judy Tilson said Thursday that she opted to recall about 75 pounds of fresh beef trim products after receiving test results that showed the meat might have been infected with E. coli.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the items produced June 2 were distributed in North Carolina and South Carolina for further processing. The boxes carry the establishment number EST. 20487. No illnesses have been reported.
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