WHEREAS, a vengeful and bitter crime occurred in Pelion, South Carolina, on Sunday night, October 27, 1996, in which innocent citizens were victimized by a drive-by shooting; and

WHEREAS, friends getting together, families going to church, and people going about their everyday business have the basic right to live their lives free of the terror that results from this type of mindless and numbing violence; and

WHEREAS, crimes of hate are blatant acts of terrorism that hold our citizens in fear and cannot be allowed to gain a foothold in this State.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of South Carolina and pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of this State, that the Solicitors in each Judicial Circuit shall give top priority to all cases involving crimes of hate and shall prosecute these cases expeditiously and to the fullest extent of the law, in order to ensure the swift administration of justice.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 30TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1996

_________________________________
DAVID M. BEASLEY
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:18 A.M.