TALKING, TALKING, TALKING …
By FITSNEWS || There’s a growing buzz about criminal domestic violence in South Carolina these days … due in no small part to incidents like this.
In fact the issue is evidently so important S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has formed a task force to study it … you know, because task forces have done such a bang-up job of solving South Carolina’s problems over the years (editor’s note: sarcasm).
“(CDV) has been an issue that’s been ongoing,” Haley told the status quo enablers at WIS TV 10 (NBC – Columbia, S.C.). “This year, everyone’s talked about doing something about it.”
So Haley is going to talk some more …
Anyway, while Haley was talking … an actual criminal domestic violence case involving the son of a statewide GOP elected official was receiving a public hearing in the governor’s backyard of Lexington County, S.C.
Brad Eckstrom – son of S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom – is accused of punching, kicking and grabbing his 29-year-old former fiancee Blair Pettrey by the hair, and dragging her across his mother’s home during the October 10 incident. Pettrey – who suffered multiple bruises – was nine weeks pregnant with Brad Eckstrom’s child at the time of the alleged assault.
Will Eckstrom be convicted? Of course not. In fact just as we predicted, he received pretrial intervention in the case – meaning it will be dropped and expunged from his record.
How about that …
“The prosecutor never once spoke to me this entire ordeal,” Pettrey told FITS. “The entire process was a joke.”
Pettrey also tells FITS renowned victims’ advocate Laura Hudson did absolutely nothing to help “despite my numerous attempts to contact her.”
“I left multiple emails and voicemails and got no response – ever,” Pettrey said.
Well, well … Hudson is all over the papers when it comes to some cases, but apparently she couldn’t be bothered with this one.
We get that women like Haley and Hudson want to appear tough on this issue. It’s one that resonates with the public – and violence against any one for any reason (man, woman, black, white, gay, straight, etc.) is wrong.
But as long as “advocates” like Haley and Hudson are spouting meaningless sound bites while letting “fortunate sons” like Eckstrom walk on their CDV charges … we would suggest you ignore them. We’d also suggest you ignore media outlets like WIS that cover the formation of meaningless task forces … yet fail to cover cases like Eckstrom’s.
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19 comments
I’m going to buy Blair a red shirt that says “Everlast” on it as a breakup gift.
Why don’t you try fighting a man you faggot little bitch. I bet you’d piss your pants.
drunk or just simple?
Why not both?
Is this about what Brad was saying as he (allegedly) assaulted Blair?
Is your last name Dover?
You Know darn well that it would be inappropriate for any Chief Executive to inject themselves into any individual criminal case. Obama made a fool of himself over the rather mild statements about Trayvon Martin.
The Good Ole Boy System, and GOBS goes across all parties. Just need to be in a power position to play.
They should replace the palmetto with Foghorn Leghorn.
Your understanding is not correct. Victim input is considered when deciding whether to allow a defendant into PTI, but the victim’s consent is not required.
Elected solicitors need to be held accountable at the polls for giving PTI to the perpetrators of violent crimes.
But, like the newspaper and TV sites, this site failed to name the solicitor who gave this guy a get-out-of-jail-free card.
We see the same problem with judges NEVER being named so that the people can keep track of what these people are doing so they can be held to account when they are up for re-appointment.
This is NOT just here in SC. It’s everywhere, just look at the crazy Iranian hostage taker in Australia out on bail for sexual assault and accessory to murder when he went into the Lindt’s store.
The problem is that judges and solicitors don’t seem to grasp the concept of what violence consists of.
Same with our Congressmen, our state legislators, governor, school boards, sheriffs, etc.
CDV is a waste of time and space. Assault is assault. Murder is murder. Theft is theft. Stop making shite up to satisfy the lemmings and enforce the laws on the books.
Waste of air.
SECTION 17-22-80. Recommendations of victim and law enforcement agency.
Prior to any person being admitted to a pretrial intervention program the victim, if any, of the crime for which the applicant is charged and the law enforcement agency employing the arresting officer shall be asked to comment in writing as to whether or not the applicant should be allowed to enter an intervention program. In each case involving admission to an intervention program, the solicitor or judge, if application is made to the court pursuant to Section 17-22-100, shall consider the recommendations of the law enforcement agency and the victim, if any, in making a decision.
SECTION 17-22-90. Agreements required of offender in program.
(4) in the event there is a victim of the crime, agree, in writing, to make restitution to the victim within a specified period of time and in an amount to be determined by the solicitor;
See that’s the thing. If you are charged with a violent crime, you are not eligible for PTI in S.C. But in S.C., first offense criminal domestic VIOLENCE is not a violent crime.
Wow. Did you happen to know that there is a legal definition for violent crimes (if I remember, 16-1-60/16-1-70)? Simple assault and battery isn’t a crime of violence either, and you can get PTI for it. Try doing a bit of reading before making kneejerk comments…
Violent crimes are defined, as stated above, by statute. No criminal domestic violence offenses are violent crimes EXCEPT Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature. The sentence range for that offense is one to ten years, and the one year cannot be suspended and must be served day-for-day (no parole or early release).
Assault and Battery in the first, second and third degree are likewise NOT violent offenses, but Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature IS a violent offense, but has no minimum penalty.
Because CDV is not a violent crime, it is eligible for PTI.
Republicans cemented their neurosis with the Norquist Hypocritical Oath.
What the heck is her problem? I beat my wife this afternoon because she was gonna cook pasta for dinner. I’m a man, darn it, and I need steak. She said my Wal-Mart job didn’t afford us steak. I told her, you hit the intersection by I-95 in Florence, hold up a sign, pick up an easy $10 and get me a sirlion. Maybe the problem over there at the Gov Mansion is the man ain’t in control. He better get with the program and put her in the right frame of mind.