Brian McConchie
Brian is the Sports Director for the WACH Fox.
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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia's new interim police chief says he will review the findings of a SLED probe into the controversial 2009 arrest of a Myrtle Beach attorney.
On Monday, a spokesman for interim chief Randy Scott told WACH Fox News that Scott would review the findings of that probe once the investigation is complete. SLED confirms there is still an "active investigation" of the October 2009 arrest of attorney Jonny McCoy in Columbia's Five Points, and general police conduct in the Columbia entertainment district.
McCoy was arrested October 17, 2009 outside a Five Points bar and charged with interfering with an arrest. WACH Fox News obtained surveillance video from that night showing McCoy approach three officers who were placing his friend under arrest. A police report indicated that McCoy grabbed an officer and got in the officers' faces. However, the video did not appear to reflect what was written in the report.
Just days after WACH Fox News first reported the story, Columbia assistant city manager Mike King ordered then Columbia police chief Tandy Carter to investigate the matter. At the time, SLED confirmed they were investigating as well.
Some constitutional law experts argued McCoy's arrest lacked probable cause and that the city's "interfering with an arrest" ordinance violates a person's constitutional rights. McCoy filed a civil lawsuit against the Columbia police department.
The charges against McCoy were dropped in May after prosecutors said the officers involved in the arrest, Amanda Long, John Passmore and James Heywood, indicated they would plead the fifth and decline to testify if the case went to trial.
SLED has set no timetable for when their investigation will be complete.
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