Safety in S.C. courts

The shooting in an Atlanta courthouse is likely to prompt changes in security for South Carolina courts, the state’s chief justice said Friday.

“I’m sure this is going to be a national debate,” said South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal.

Toal said state court and law enforcement officials will meet in the next two weeks to devise statewide security standards.

Likely changes, she said, included broader use of video conferencing technology to reduce the number of times defendants must be transported.

Police said the Atlanta suspect, Brian Nichols, got a gun by overpowering a sheriff’s deputy while he was being escorted inside the courthouse.

Toal has made increasing courtroom security a priority since becoming chief justice in 2001, when some courtrooms had no law enforcement officers.

Fifth Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese said courtroom security has improved the past few years. But Giese still gets verbal threats in the courtroom.

“It’s happened to me numerous times. I take them fairly seriously.”

As a prosecutor, the nature of his job puts him in contact with violent people. “You’re always aware of situations where something really horrible could happen,” Giese said.

Sumter attorney Jordan White was attacked by a client in the courtroom in 1994.

His client, Marel Fulwood, on trial for robbery, punched White, who was his public defender, when Fulwood objected to a juror selection.

The punch broke White’s nose and glasses, and left him with a keener awareness about what could happen in a courthouse.

“People are under stress,” White said. “You have people who will do a lot of things.”

Officials in Richland and Lexington counties were reluctant to give specific details about their security policies.

Richland County courts plan to examine their programs and policies, said Capt. Steve Griffey, who oversees courthouse security for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

“Security is always an ever-changing animal,” Griffey said. “There is always re-evaluation.”

In Lexington County, sheriff’s deputies handle security for the 96,000-square-foot building. After the building opened in late 2003, the department hired more deputies for the larger building.

Richland County uses deputies and judicial service officers, who receive less training, Griffey said.

Both buildings use metal detectors and scan packages. Both counties also provide judges with an alarm button on their bench to signal deputies in case of trouble.

Deputies receive annual training on how to prevent someone from taking their weapon — or defend themselves if it happens — said Lexington spokesman Capt. John Allard. Richland deputies receive similar training, Griffey said.

Richland County also adjusts routines or staffing based on the type of trials, Griffey said. For instance, he said, security has been tighter during this week’s sentencing for convicted murderer Quincy Allen.

White said he noticed heightened security in Sumter after his attack, but recognized there were limits to safety.

“You have to be careful of the emotions. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything could have prevented it.”

Staff writer J.R. Gonzales contributed to this report. Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8435 or johnoconnor@thestate.com.