The State of South Carolina v. Craig Allen Priester
- Not Guilty, Murder
- Not Guilty, Manslaughter
- Not Guilty, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
ALLENDALE, S.C. (Aug. 27, 2025)
Mr. Craig Allen Priester was found not guilty by a Allendale County Jury of Murder, Manslaughter, and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime in the death of Chelsie Frazier, an Allendale County resident, on December 17th, 2021. Following a three (3) day trial the jury reached their verdict after deliberating for 45 minutes, finding that Priester acted in self-defense on the night in question. During the course of the trial the State presented fourteen (14) witnesses, and there were over 150 evidence exhibits were submitted and entered into the record.
The trial was presided over by the Hon. Brian M. Gibbons, Chief Administrative Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Fairfield, Chester, and Lancaster Counties.
Mr. Priester was represented by Jonathan Lewis of the Law Office of Jonathan Lewis, LLC.
The State was represented by Asst. Solicitor Julie Kate Keeney, and Asst. Solicitor Reed Evans, Career Criminal Unit, both of the Fourteenth (14th) Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
The State of South Carolina v. Joshua Akeem Deandre Fields
- Not Guilty, Attempted Murder
- Not Guilty, Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature
- Not Guilty, Discharge of a Firearm into a Dwelling
- Not Guilty, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
BEAUFORT, S.C. (July 25, 2024)
Mr. Joshua Fields was found not guilty by a Beaufort County Jury of Attempted Murder, Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature, Discharge of a Firearm into a Dwelling, and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime in the shooting of Tony Thomas. Following a three (3) day trial the jury reached a verdict after deliberating for just 1 hour and 15 minutes, finding that Fields acted in self-defense and the defense of others when Thomas was shot after choking his significant other on the night in question. During the course of the trial the State presented over thirteen (13) witnesses, and over 50 evidence exhibits were submitted and entered into the record.
The trial was presided over by the Hon. Clifton Newman, At-Large Circuit Court Judge, who is best known for presiding over the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh.
Mr. Priester was represented by Jonathan Lewis of the Law Office of Jonathan Lewis, LLC.
The State was represented by Deputy Solicitor May Concannon Jones and Asst. Solicitor Vincent Drago, both of the Fourteenth (14th) Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
The State of South Carolina v. Clint Hemsworth
- Not Guilty, Assault and Battery in the Third Degree
HAMPTON, S.C. (October 6, 2023)
Mr. Clint Hemsworth was found not guilty during a Hampton County Jury Trial of Assault and Battery in the 3rd Degree of his neighbor following a dispute between the parties. During the course of the trial, and following a tough examination of the State’s lead investigator and arresting officer, the presiding judge found that the State had failed to support their case and establish necessary facts the State was required to show during their case at trial, and directed verdict of not guilty in favor of the Defense, acquitting the charge before the jury was allowed to consider the case.
The trial was presided over by the Hon. Tonja P. Alexander.
Mr. Hemsworth was represented by Jonathan Lewis of the Law Office of Jonathan Lewis, LLC.
The State was represented by the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office.
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