SC death row inmate's 2nd trial gets under way

CONWAY, S.C. - A man already on South Carolina's death row for killing his girlfriend is going on trial again in another death penalty case.

Jury selection began Monday in Stephen Stanko's second trial. A judge ruled he was competent to stand trial last week. Opening statements are expected in a few days.

Authorities have charged Stanko with shooting Henry Lee Turner in the 74-year-old's Conway home on April 8, 2005.

Stanko has been sentenced to die for killing his live-in girlfriend, Laura Ling, and assaulting a teen on the same day. Stanko is being held on death row in Ridgeville, with no date set for his execution.

A gag order prevents attorneys from discussing Stanko's case.

SC governor's campaign account has $1.7M remaining

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has $1.7 million left in his campaign finance account and can use the cash to cover legal fees tied to his ethics investigation.

Cathy Hazelwood is the State Ethics Commission general counsel and said Monday that Sanford's lawyers already have asked the State Ethics Commission if the money can be used for legal fees. Sanford's spokesman referred questions to the governor's lawyers, who did not respond immediately to a message seeking comment.

The commission is wrapping up its probe of Sanford's use of state aircraft for personal and political purposes and other issues. Commission director Herb Hayden says Sanford's lawyers were responding to the final questions Monday. The investigation will be presented to the commission on Nov. 18.

Black SC lawmakers asking about Boeing hiring

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Black lawmakers want to make sure minorities get a fair chance at jobs at Boeing's new assembly line in South Carolina.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports state Sen. Robert Ford, a Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus, has written Boeing president Jim McNerney.

The company plans to build a North Charleston assembly plant to make 787 jetliners.

Ford says blacks have disproportionately suffered job losses in the state because of the recession. The caucus wants to know about Boeing's hiring plans and its track record of hiring minorities and women.

Boeing expects to create 3,800 assembly jobs and 2,000 construction jobs. Ford did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

SC mayor-elect says he'll keep police chief post

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - A South Carolina mayor-elect says he'll serve in his new role and keep his job as police chief in another town despite an opinion by the state attorney general's office advising against it.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported Monday that Jim Preacher says dual office holding is not an ethics violation because the election was non-partisan and not for the same town. He is mayor-elect of Norway and police chief in Ehrhardt.

The state constitution says no person may hold two offices of honor or profit. But it says any office holder may at the same time be an officer in the militia, member of a fire department, constable or notary public.

Attorney general's spokesman Mark Plowden says dual office could be challenged in court.