MORNING HEADLINES | A federal appeals court overturned the conviction and sentence of a man accused of conspiring with convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh to commit fraud.
Former Hampton banker Russell Laffitte appealed his 2022 convictions for bank and wire fraud, citing the removal and replacement of two jurors who are implied to have disagreed with his guilty verdict. His appeal was argued in September, and on Thursday, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor.
A timeline for a new trial has not yet been determined. While still charged with all six federal counts of bank and wire fraud and misappropriating funds, Laffitte will qualify for bond ahead of future hearings.
The appellate court determined the removal of two jurors was mishandled as U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel made the decision unilaterally and privately, accepting one juror’s request to be removed during a one-on-one interaction, failing to allow the defense to object, and removing another for needing medication.
Subsequently, the jury with its alternates came back in less than an hour with a unanimous guilty verdict. The court ruled that Laffitte’s Fifth and Sixth amendment rights — the right to be present and the right to an impartial jury — were violated.
In City Paper news on Friday:
CP NEWS: Post-election S.C. GOP agenda focuses on tax cuts, school vouchers. After a red wave election that handed South Carolina Republicans virtually unchecked power in all three branches of state government, the question for GOP leaders is clear: What do they plan to do with it?
CP NEWS: Reconnecting with Caitlyn as Charleston shelter celebrates 150 years. Caitlyn’s getting older. Perhaps the most famous shelter animal in the 150-year history of the Charleston Animal Society, she’s now 12.
CP NEWS: One80 Place brings new affordable housing model to Meeting St. One80 Place is set to transform a vacant peninsula lot in Charleston into a new $44 million mixed-use affordable housing and family shelter project.
CP ARTS: Gibbes Museum of Art takes retrospective look at its 1858 prize. The Gibbes Museum of Art is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art with a major new exhibition on display through Jan. 12, 2025.
CP FOOD: Toscano showcases Mexican cuisine in downtown Charleston. Chef Michael Toscano is no stranger to new ventures as the founding force behind Le Farfalle, da Toscano Porchetta Shop, da Toscano Fugazzi and Da Toscano (in New York City). He is a known provider of well-loved Italian cuisine.
CP MUSIC: Musical project about the American railroad highlights the sounds of the nation’s melting pot. When artistic director and composer Rhiannon Giddens brought her idea of a musical project built around the American railroad to the Grammy Award–winning musical ensemble, Silkroad, she was met with some initial skepticism.
In other recent headlines:
Thousands notified about potential lead in waterlines. On Monday, Charleston Water System began sending letters notifying residents that a water service line supplying water to their homes is made at least partially of lead, posing potential health threats. It comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated guidelines for water systems.
Charleston County school district highlights successes, improvement. The Charleston County School District hosted its State of the Schools address Thursday, highlighting major accomplishments in the district but also acknowledging areas of improvement that are necessary throughout the county’s 80 schools.
Meet North Charleston’s new police chief. North Charleston’s next police chief, who is from Pennsylvania, will start the role next month. Here’s what the mayor recently said about the selection process.
College of Charleston students hold drive to fight state book bans. A class of English students is incorporating African American literature into the community because of recent book reviews by the South Carolina Department of Education.
Low Tide Brewing expansion on Johns Island will create 33 new jobs. Low Tide Brewing, which produces award-winning craft beers made from quality ingredients, announced plans to expand its Johns Island operations.
S.C. to take break from executions for holidays. The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided the state should take a break from executions for the holidays. Justices issued an order on Thursday saying they would wait to sign the next death warrant until at least Jan. 3.
Scholarship program that enables debt-free college now available in 13 S.C. counties. James F. Byrnes High School senior Mariela Osorio received her acceptance letter from Anderson University to pursue her dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher.
State organizations step up to help S.C. veterans find work after years of service. After years of serving in the military, many South Carolina veterans have difficulty with adjusting to civilian life, including getting a job. Here’s how government and nonprofit organizations are working to ease their struggles.
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