In the past year we have repeatedly pointed out failures in our criminal justice system. Solicitors are part of the equation. Judges are another. We have repeatedly referred to Judge Thomas "Felon's Friend" Hughston and pointed out his tendency to hand out ridiculous sentences.
Well, he's done it again. Samuel McCauley pled guilty to Reckless Homicide and Felony DUI in the July 2011 death of a 72 year old woman. Let's look at the original sentence:
Felony DUI - Fifteen years and a $15,000 fine - however, after serving ten years and paying $10,100 the balance will be suspended in favor of five years of probation.
Reckless Homicide - Ten years and a $5,000 fine.
The sentences, as always, were set to run concurrently.
The defense attorney, Capers Barr, filed a motion with Judge Hughston to have the sentence reduced. The 9th Circuit Solicitor is alleging that Judge Hughston reduced McCauley's sentence to five years without having a required hearing or notifying the Solicitor of the hearing. Barr claims he discovered the change in May of 2013 while monitoring the Clerk of Court website and sent a letter to Judge Hughston AND Scarlett Wilson to confirm. He says he didn't receive a reply from the 9th Circuit Solicitor. Now Scarlett Wilson shows up in July just *shocked* about the whole thing. Someone is lying.
Maybe Mr. Barr could do us a favor and produce that letter. It would serve to prove the 9th Circuit Solicitor continues to fail the citizens of Charleston and Berkeley counties.
As for Judge Thomas "Felons Friend" Hughston - the citizens of Charleston County believe it is time for him to go. He certainly won't step down, so the only avenue of redress citizens have is to burn up the phones, email accounts and mailboxes of your elected representatives.
Note the amended sentence notation. Someone didn't want the amended sentence made by public, which is why it isn't listed on the record.
