Berkeley County Sheriff H. Wayne DeWitt arrested for DUI, leaving scene of accident

On December 28, 2014, Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries. Dewitt, who has served as Berkeley County’s sheriff since 1995, is set to appear in court in February.

DeWitt’s arrest highlights a troubling trend among South Carolina Law Enforcement. Five of our 46 sheriffs have faced criminal charges in the past three years. (wbtw.com)

DeWitt was given a personal recognizance bond at his hearing on Sunday evening in the amounts of $10,000 and $997.

Sunday’s incident has also caused some to question state law regarding sheriffs’ arrests. DeWitt was arrested by state Troopers, however, in South Carolina, only the coroner has the authority to arrest a sheriff.

But is that really the case? According to ABC News Charleston, “Highway Patrol officials say Troopers have the authority to arrest anyone without limitations, and cited state law as evidence that gives them the same power as sheriffs in making arrests.”

DeWitt was driving his county-owned Ford pickup truck Sunday when the incident occurred. The collision left another driver rear ended, and resulted in Dewitt fleeing the scene. The 21-year-old victim was treated and released from Trident Medical Center.

Hanahan police located the truck around 5:50 a.m. and arrested Dewitt after confirming he was the driver, and after he failed a field sobriety test. Dewitt’s license was automatically revoked after he refused to take a Breathalyzer after being taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center.

By Bill Sharpe – bio | emailBy Live 5 News Web Staff – email

COLUMBIA, SC (WCSC/WIS) –

Miss South Carolina Brooke Mosteller told Live 5 News’ Bill Sharpe on Thursday that she apologizes for what she said at the Miss America Pageant last week.

In her first television interview, Mosteller said she’s sorry for the comments she made about 20 percent of the state living in mobile homes, and “that’s how we roll.”

“I really am sorry for doing this and for taking that huge, incredible opportunity that those Miss South Carolina judges gave me and entrusted me with to go and represent the state to the best of my ability, and I did it with a lack of judgement,” Mosteller said on Thursday.

Mosteller said she felt uneasy about saying the statement regarding mobile homes on the Miss America Pageant and her “inner voice” told her it was wrong. It was seven seconds she wished she could take back.

“When I would question it or feel a little uncomfortable about it, I would voice my concern, but pretty much everyone I asked about it at the pageant said ‘This is funny and you have a great personality,’” Mosteller said.”I really just should have used my better judgement and really  listened to my instincts that there is a downside to this and it could be offensive to people.”

Court gives Facebook likes the thumbs up. (Source: CNN)

(CNN) – A U.S. court has ruled that “likes” on Facebook are protected as free speech under the Constitution.

The case came about when employees at Hampton Sheriff’s Office in Virginia lost their jobs after expressing support for their boss’ opponent by liking the opponent’s Facebook page.

Facebook and the American Civil Liberties Union became involved, both filed friend of the court briefs for the case.

The decision reverses an earlier ruling that said “likes” were just button presses.

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