Former S.C. Police Chief Gets One Year Of House Arrest For Shooting Unarmed Black Man
A former South Carolina police chief has dodged prison time in the 2011 shooting death of an unarmed Black man, receiving just one year of home detention, according to NPR.
Former Eutawville, S.C. police chief Richard Combs, 38, shot and killed 54-year-old Bernard Bailey as he left the Eutawville Police Department in May 2011.
The shooting happened on May 2, 2011 when Bailey, a former prison security guard, went to the courthouse to request a change of date in his daughter’s hearing for a broken traffic light two months prior, for which Combs had given her a ticket.
Combs, believing his authority was being disrespected, was allegedly upset when Bailey — who was on the scene when his daughter was given the ticket to provide the officer with her insurance papers — arrived at the courthouse.
Without notice, Combs issued Bailey a warrant for his arrest because of their previous encounter. Witnesses say Bailey was visibly confused and angry, so he left the courthouse with Combs trailing behind him.
As Bailey tried to start his car, Combs opened the door and attempted to stop him. A physical altercation ensued and Bailey was shot three times in the chest.
Combs’ case was brought to trial twice for murder and voluntary manslaughter, but the charges were later reduced to misconduct."
*The family was awarded $400,000 from Eutawville, a town of just over 300 people, in a wrongful death lawsuit."
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