Author: Dick Mangrum

A civil trial concluded at Oconee Courthouse with a verdict that a young man met the definition of a sexually violent predator.  It means that although Christopher Trent Wilder completed a criminal court sentence, he is now is remanded to a state treatment program for an indefinite period.  Robert Kittle, spokesman for the Attorney’s General Office, called it “a win […]

The Oconee Common Pleas jury returned this afternoon with a verdict for the state.  It found that Christopher Trent Wilder is a sexually violent predator which means Wilder is remanded indefinitely to a treatment program.  Wilder did not testify in his defense, and his side relied on one witness, a state psychologist.  The two-day trial was unique in that a […]

Christopher Trent Wilder’s lawyer says the Oconee jury is the first in the state to handle a case under South Carolina’s new law covering sexually violent predators.  As such, the jury this afternoon is to retire to its room to deliberate.  That deliberation determines whether 37-year old is not considered a predator, but if the verdict goes against him he […]

Before a city hall meeting in Seneca last night there was a tease that a Rick Erwin steakhouse might be locating in Harper’s Plaza, across N. 1st Street.  However, Scott Moulder, city administrator, responded in an email this morning saying, “At this point there has been no formal discussion with the owners of Rick Erwin, nor any other restaurant operator.”

Attorney Suzanne Shaw rested the state’s case this morning in the Oconee Common Pleas Court, and the respondent’s attorney, Don Thompson, tried but failed to win a directed verdict for his client, Christopher Trent Wilder.  After Judge Sprouse ruling that the case should proceed further, Thompson called as his side’s first witness, Dr. Christopher Gillen, a psychologist employed by the […]

A contractor has revealed what’s in store for three graded acres of SC 28 diagonally across from Paesano’s.  Brian Massey says he and his wife, Toni, will open the first bourbon distillery in the Seneca area.

At 10 o’clock this morning, the Oconee Humane Society will give away free canned cat food at the adoption center on the Sandifer Boulevard.  The giveaway is made possible by a partnership between the humane society and the Greater Good Charities.

A 30-minute discussion on whether a 16’ statue would fit inside Seneca’s historic district was inconclusive.  And, at the urging of the presiding chairman, the city Board of Architectural Review tabled an application on behalf of the Dimas Brothers’ restaurant on S. Fairplay Street.  Only three of the five board members were present last night, and it was felt the […]