DNA Links Man Convicted in 4 Sumter Murders to 1987 Richland Killing
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IN SPORTS: Clemson falls short against Duke in ACC Men’s Tournament B1 THE CLARENDON SUN State considering slot limit for striped bass A6 THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents Governor addresses Chamber Henry McMaster keynotes annual Legislative Day BY JIM HILLEY [email protected] COLUMBIA — Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legis- lative Day in Columbia on Wednesday was very different from previous years. Instead of the luncheon format of past years, the event included a tour of the General Assembly Building; an afternoon session with speakers, in- cluding South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster; and an evening reception. Gov. McMaster used his appearance to laud the state of South Carolina. “South Carolina is the friendliest state with the most assets,” he said, listing such things as the Port of Charleston and two multi-modal in- land ports as being major economic engines. He also praised the state’s research universities, particularly for their abil- ity to cooperate with each other and PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM the private sector. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tells “Collaboration is where things real- the Greater Sumter Chamber of Com- ly happen,” he said. “Public-private merce Legislative Day crowd that the Boe- partnerships will take us to that ing plant’s workers who rejected a union knowledge economy and beyond.” vote recently continues to make the state He said the Palmetto State is blessed an attractive place to do business. with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. “The main thing we have is our peo- ple,” McMaster said, and he talked about the potential the state has shown since the very first European settlers arrived. SEE CHAMBER, PAGE A9 Summerton DNA links man convicted in 4 Sumter plant sees more activity murders to 1987 Richland killing BY JIM HILLEY BY TEDDY KULMALA AND “very gruesome scene.” leads on the case and it ran ed in 1988 and later con- [email protected] JANE MOON DAIL The 34-year-old mother of cold. Within the past month, victed in the murders of The State three had been shot in the though, he said, investigators four women in Sumter A company that announced face with a shotgun at close with the department’s cold County, the sheriff said. it was locating a plant near RICHLAND COUNTY — range, according to The State case unit reviewed the case Detectives learned John- Summerton has purchased Thirty years after Patricia newspaper ar- and submitted DNA evidence son killed two women in and is renovating the former Ann Green’s lifeless body was chives. Two from the crime scene for Sumter County before Federal Mogul Building at 9104 found in a roadside ditch, truckers leav- analysis. Green’s shooting, and an- Alex Harvin Highway, near technology caught up and ing Columbia “Our DNA people matched other two after. Summerton. helped identify her killer, who spotted her up the DNA found at the The four Sumter County Clarendon Economic Devel- is serving life sentences for body in the crime scene that day to Phil- murders happened in close opment Director George Ko- the murders of four other ditch about a lip Johnson, of Sumter,” proximity to each other. sinski said ProBrass Inc., a women in Sumter County. JOHNSON quarter-mile Lott said. Johnson’s DNA Johnson is serving four company which manufactures Green’s body was found off from the en- was found on Green’s cloth- life sentences in the state brass rifle cartridges, has been the Sumter Highway in Hop- trance of ing, he said. prison system and is cur- renovating and making roof kins the morning of May 10, McEntire Joint National rently housed at Kirkland repairs to the building and is 1987, in what Richland Coun- Guard Base near Eastover. ‘JUST A COLD-BLOODED KILLER’ awaiting the arrival of produc- ty Sheriff Leon Lott called a Lott said there were no Johnson, 53, was arrest- SEE COLD, PAGE A9 tion equipment from Illinois. Kosinski said the company has already hired six people at the facility and is advertising 10 production positions through SCWorks. Staggers named Morris College interim president A listing at www.scworks.org matching Kosinski’s descrip- tion listed production jobs at FROM STAFF REPORTS with Morris College at 5 p.m. on June working at Morris College in 1993, $16 an hour. 30 according to a news release from has dedicated nearly 24 years to the “There are a lot of moving Morris College Board of Trustees the college. institution and has served 16 years as pieces going on,” Kosinski has named Leroy Staggers, academic Staggers, a Salters native and a the academic dean. said. dean at the college, as interim presi- graduate of C.E. Murray Through his current position, Stag- The company is being start- dent, effective July 1, as president High School in Greely- gers is a prominent member of Rich- ed up by two military veterans Luns C. Richardson intends to retire ville, earned an under- ardson’s cabinet and is responsible from Rhode Island and Illinois: on June 30. graduate degree from for the supervision of all academic CEO Christopher Moe and Richardson, South Carolina’s lon- Voorhees College and programs, full-time and part-time fac- Chief Operating Officer Tim gest sitting college president and earned both a master’s ulty members as well as all academic Baxter, according to a Decem- United Negro College Fund’s longest and a doctorate degree support instructional programs. Stag- ber 2016 report. member president, informed the from Clark Atlanta Uni- gers also works closely with Richard- STAGGERS Kosinski said the company board of trustees of his decision to versity in Atlanta, Geor- son on all aspects of Morris College’s intends to employ as many as retire as the president during a regu- gia. reaffirmation of accreditation efforts, lar meeting on Oct. 29, 2016. According to a news release from SEE PLANT, PAGE A9 He will conclude his 43-year career the college, Staggers, who began SEE MORRIS, PAGE A9 VISIT US ONLINE AT DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A12 INSIDE Rev. David P. Kiester Sr. Vickie T. Horne PERFECT DAY 2 SECTIONS, 18 PAGES the .com Judy D. Wadford Evelyn S. Boone Sunny and warm today with VOL. 122, NO. 104 Willie Walker James B. Harper no chance of rain; tonight, Classifieds B6 Frank E. Byrd Jr. Nathaniel McElveen clear, mild and moonlit. Comics B5 Sylvia P. Riley Rosheed Jae-Von Goodwin HIGH 78, LOW 51 Arthur Lee Colin McCutchen Opinion A11 Anne G. Campbell William M. Cockerill Sr. Television A10 A2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] LOCAL BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS Bill seeks safeguards for gun sales Airman killed in I-20 wreck identified COLUMBIA (AP) — South Carolina gun sales to people addicted to drugs. Currently in South Carolina only peo- needs better safeguards to prevent peo- But the statute is vague, so the agent ple convicted of violent felonies can’t Staff Sgt. Alexander Earles, ple who shouldn’t have a gun from buy- needed more information about Roof’s have guns — exempting drug dealers a Fort Gordon Airman as- ing one, as white supremacist Dylann charge. Because of the clerical error, the and other dangerous criminals, Hem- signed to the 3rd Intelligence Roof did before massacring congre- agent couldn’t get it within the three- bree said. Squadron, was killed in a gants in a black Charleston church, day window for the background check. Gregory said he thinks the bill can wreck Monday at approxi- Democratic and Republican state sena- The South Carolina bill requires pass the state Senate in part because it mately 11 a.m. while traveling tors said Wednesday. courts to report guilty verdicts to a has bipartisan support and in part be- west bound on Interstate 20 The two hope their bipartisan ap- state database within 10 days instead of cause the slain pastor at Emanuel AME near Augusta, Georgia. proach can crack South Carolina’s con- the current 30 days. Any restraining or- was state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. The 23-year-old airman was servative opposition to laws that make it ders, bonds or other items that might The bill would face a tougher chal- an Intelligence, Surveillance it harder for anyone to get a gun. They prevent someone from buying a gun lenge in the state House, which tends to and Reconnaissance Opera- point out it would only stop people who would have to be reported within two be more conservative on gun rights. tions Training Manager. He shouldn’t have a gun to begin with. days. Currently there is a patchwork of Most of the gun bills sponsored in that served in the Air Force since “The more mass shootings we have requirements, said Democratic state chamber this year expand who can Aug. 9, 2011. in this country, the harder it is going to Sen. Marlon Kimpson. carry guns in South Carolina and “We are sad to announce the be to defend the Second Amendment,” “It’s going a long way to solving the where guns can be brought. loss of a great American Air- said Sen. Greg Gregory, a Lancaster Dylann Roof issue,” said Kimpson, But the senators point out South Car- man, Staff Sgt. Alexander Ear- Republican. whose district includes Emanuel AME olina has passed gun restrictions be- les,” said Lt. Col. Jeremiah Bur- Their bill would give authorities church. fore. In 2013, lawmakers approved a bill gess, 3rd IS commander. “Our more time to do a background check The bill also expands from three days requiring the state to provide the feder- hearts go out to his family and and add other reporting requirements.