Capital City Watch: Former Columbia Councilman Brian Newman Passes Away

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Former city of Columbia, South Carolina councilman Brian Newman has passed away, according to media reports.

Newman, 40, was the son of S.C. circuit court judge Clifton Newman and the brother of S.C. circuit court judge Jocelyn Newman. He was also the great nephew of the late I. DeQuincey Newman – a civil rights pioneer in the Palmetto State during the latter half of the twentieth century.

News of Newman’s death was first reported by The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper.

A graduate of Morehouse College and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Newman began his legal career at the firm of Rikard and Protopapas focusing on “criminal defense, personal injury, business litigation and medical malpractice.”

In 2013, he founded his own firm.

In 2010, Newman became the youngest person ever elected to city council in Columbia – filling the unexpired term of veteran councilman E.W. Cromartie, who resigned after pleading guilty to federal . Newman was reelected to a full term shortly thereafter and served through 2015.

In addition to serving on city council, Newman was also an assistant solicitor in the S.C. fifth judicial circuit covering Richland and Kershaw counties.

“This is just a devastating loss,” said Robert Rikard, one of Newman’s longtime colleagues. “Brian was a dedicated public servant, lawyer, and friend. I was able to watch firsthand his growth as a lawyer, and his work as a city councilman to lift up all of Columbia and move it into a positive direction. While it is such a loss on a professional and civic level, it’s incredibly difficult on a personal level because Brian was also a friend, He took the time to make everyone he spoke to feel special and that they were worthy of this time. Brian was a force of positive energy, compassion, and change. This one just hurts.”

This is a developing story … please check back for updates.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. And yes, he has an incredible hat collection including that Tampa Bay Rays sunburst batting practice lid.

***

WANNA SOUND OFF?

Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.