5/21/07 (SC):
Attorney Guilty Of Murder, Say Jury
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A Columbia jury has returned a guilty verdict against an attorney on trial for murder.
Dewain Herring shot 32-year-old nightclub manager John Johnson last January. Police say Herring was angry because Johnson had just kicked him out of Chastity's Gold Club because he reportedly took his clothes off in a room there.
Herring was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was immediately taken away by officers.
Herring was also found guilty of weapons charges, specifically, pointing a firearm at officers.
Before sentencing, members of Johnson's family addressed the court, saying, "We are relieved that justice has prevailed, although we cannot have John John back. We will forever miss him. And we thank the jury for their decision."
Herring himself made a brief statement, saying, with emotion in his voice, "It's very difficult for me to express my sorrow to the Johnson family."
"This case was just eaten up with malice," said Fifth Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese, who tried the case. "The threats he made prior to coming back and shooting into the club. That's express malice. To be honest, you rarely get a case like that. It's very strong evidence."
Herring's attorney, Dick Harpootlian, admits his client had a lot to answer for during the trial, including surveillance footage from the club on the night of the shooting. "It's hard to get around that video tape. It has his car riding up, a bullet going through the door and hitting John Johnson."
Earlier Monday, prosecutors called a witness to refute defense claims that their client was involuntarily intoxicated on the night of the killing. Demi Garvin, a clinical and forensic toxicologist with the Richland County Sheriff's Department, testified to jurors. After reviewing the case, Garvin testified that Herring was not involuntarily intoxicated on the night of the shooting at Chastity's Gold Club.
The testimony came in response to a defense witness last week who said that Herring likely was under the influence of a date rape drug, which would have inhibited his ability to act clearly and may have explained his violent behavior.
© X-Pro 2007
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