YET ANOTHER: Racist Anti-cop Narrative Proving to be a Great Distraction

12/5/2014

Former Eutawville police chief charged in unarmed man's shooting

EUTAWVILLE, SC (WIS) -

A former Eutawville police chief posted bond after he was charged with murder in connection with a 2011 shooting. 

Investigators in Orangeburg County say Richard Combs shot Bernard Bailey in May 2011. Authorities say Bailey came to the police station to talk about a traffic ticket issued to Bailey's daughter.

Bailey also had an outstanding obstruction warrant, which led to the confrontation.

According to court documents submitted by Combs' attorney, John O'Leary, Combs invited Bailey into his office and attempted to serve the warrant on Bailey, but Bailey "became very upset and agitated and talked in a loud voice" over the chief. 

Those documents go on to say Bailey walked out of Combs' office and all the way out to his car before being stopped by the chief, who attempted to arrest Bailey while Bailey was getting into his truck to drive off.

"Bailey doubled his fists, clinched his teeth, and told Chief Combs, 'Don't you put your hands on me,'" court documents said. 

At that point, according to court records, Bailey attempted to back up his truck with Combs pinned in the driver's door. 

"Chief Combs testified at that point he was 'scared [expletive]' because he could see the truck running over his head and killing him," court documents said.

It was then, documents said, Combs pulled out his service weapon and fired three shots at Bailey, killing him. 

However, prosecutors say Combs was the aggressor, because he "initiated the physical confrontation at the door to the truck." 

Bailey's attorney, Carl Grant, says this was not a justified shooting and compares it to the recent issues in Ferguson Missouri, and New York. Saying, here in South Carolina, the justice system is getting it right by indicting Combs.

“We believe that justice will be served," Grant said. "We believe that the brand of justice, ironically in this state, is proven at this moment across America and may even be higher than what we receive in New York City.”

O'Leary disagrees. He says this shooting had nothing to do with race and calls the charges a “political move” by the solicitor, saying it is being done now because of all the national attention on officer-involved shootings.

O'Leary says the trial should begin in January. He says he is ready to go, but a witness is in the hospital, so they are waiting for that witness to be in better health.

source