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The summary following each opinion is prepared to offer lawyers and the public a general overview of what a particular opinion decides. The summary is not necessarily a full description of the issues discussed in an opinion.

5915 - State v. Ferguson, III

In this criminal appeal, pursuant to Article I, Section 10 of the South Carolina Constitution, the trial court suppressed evidence of methamphetamine production that officers found inside an apartment occupied by Sylvester Ferguson. The State of South Carolina argues the trial court erred in (1) finding officers needed a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity before approaching the apartment to conduct a "knock-and-talk" and (2) ruling the officers did not have a reasonable suspicion to approach the apartment.

6-15-2022 - Opinions

5917 - State v. Davis

In this criminal appeal, Leslie Davis contends the trial court erred in admitting evidence of his prior conviction for rape in the first degree, an element of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree (CSCM) under section 16-3-655(A)(2) of the South Carolina Code (2015).

5918 - State v. Williams

Devonta Edward Williams argues the trial court should have directed a verdict of acquittal on one of his attempted murder indictments because he sees no evidence he intended to kill the particular individual named in the indictment. We affirm because we are convinced there was evidence from which a jury could find Williams intended to kill the individual in question because the individual was within the zone of danger created by Williams' conduct.

6-22-2022 - Opinions

5902 - Larry Tyler v. State

In this action for post-conviction relief (PCR), Larry James Tyler argues his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to move to sever the trial of his charge for second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor from the trial of his remaining indictments. The PCR court found trial counsel was "not deficient in any manner" and dismissed Tyler's petition. We reverse and remand.

5919 - State v. Zantravious Randell Hall

Zantravious Randell Hall appeals his convictions for murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Hall contends the trial court erred by (1) failing to admit certain social media messages into evidence and (2) enhancing his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole (LWOP) pursuant to section 17-25-45 of the South Carolina Code (2014 & Supp. 2021) (the recidivist statute). We affirm.