LIVE: Bond hearing for Pawleys Island Church suspects

[00:00:57]Hey Jeff, can you hear me?

[00:00:58]>> Yes. Good afternoon. Can you hear me?

[00:01:00]All right.

[00:01:00]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:01]>> Good.

[00:01:02]>> Are you ready for Mr. Barry?

[00:01:07]>> Yes, I'm ready for Mr. Barry.

[00:01:25]Good afternoon, sir. I'm Judge G and this is your Bonnie hearing this afternoon.

[00:01:36]Today's date is July 21st.

[00:01:39]Time is 300 p.m.

[00:01:42]here at your bond hearing. I'm just going to set your bond only and you have your day in court to decide your innocent guilt. Do you understand, sir?

[00:01:51]>> I understand.

[00:01:52]>> All right. Very good, sir.

[00:01:55]>> All right, sir. If you would please state your full name and address, sir.

[00:02:00]Spencer Berry 4235 Santelina Way Unitar 29576.

[00:02:11]>> Okay. And sir, how long have you been living at that address?

[00:02:14]>> I believe that it has been 5 years.

[00:02:18]>> All right, sir.

[00:02:22]Sir, it's my understanding that the court has agreed with you to do this by video. Am I correct?

[00:02:30]>> Yes, sir.

[00:02:32]>> All right, sir. You come before bomb court this afternoon. You have uh two charges, Mr. Perry. Uh both of your charges are general sessions charges like on warrant ending 0122. Mr. Perry's obstructing justice and warrant ending 0123 criminal conspiracy. Do you understand those charges, sir?

[00:03:04]>> I don't believe that I understand the second one. No.

[00:03:08]>> I beg your pardon, sir.

[00:03:09]>> I don't think I understand the second one. No.

[00:03:12]>> Okay. Did the uh did they go over everything with you?

[00:03:18]Not not in any detail. No.

[00:03:23]>> Our sir said between a warrant 0123 criminal conspiracy between late 2023 713 26. The defendant did intentionally withhold information regarding his volunteering status at the island community church from law enforcement.

[00:03:48]Appreciating his contact with miners through regular work at the establishment. The defendant did conspire with church leadership to conceal particulars of his probation requirements in effort to thwart enforcement of title 63 satan code of laws and furthering violations of his probation requirements.

[00:04:09]And that would be considered criminal conspiracy. Sir, that's what you allegedly have admitted.

[00:04:18]All right, sir. Having said that, you now understand what you're charged with?

[00:04:22]>> Yes.

[00:04:22]>> Okay. Very good. All right, sir. Anytime you come before court, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for a public defender. You have a right to a jury trial. You have a right to be present at your trial. Do you understand your right, sir?

[00:04:39]>> Yes, sir. Do you understand that if you fail to appeal on your court date, you may be tried in your absence and eventually one may be issued for your arrest upon conviction. You understand that, sir?

[00:04:49]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:04:51]>> All right, Mr. Perry. There are two very important court dates I'm going to give you. These court dates are important because it's mandatory that you're present on both days. Okay?

[00:05:00]>> These are called your mandatory appearance dates. And once again, it's mandatory that you're present on both days. and you'd be given that in writing as well. That first date, sir, is going to be September 24th at 1:30 and October 22nd at 900 a.m.

[00:05:20]Perry, you also have a right to a preliminary hearing.

[00:05:24]A prelim preliminary hearing is a review of the evidence that the state is used to establish probable cause to substantiate the charges they brought against you. Okay.

[00:05:37]Yes.

[00:05:38]>> And at this hearing, you'll be allowed to ask questions and make proper motions. You will not be allowed to give this morning testimony and present the evidence. Okay.

[00:05:46]>> Yes, sir.

[00:05:47]>> If you want this, you must make the request within 10 days or you can do so by signing the request form. The clerk will present to you shortly. Okay.

[00:05:56]>> Yes, >> madam clerk. Is anybody here to speak on behalf of Mr. uh Perry?

[00:06:04]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:06]All right.

[00:06:09]All right, sir. Regards to your warrants, criminal conspiracy, obstructing justice, uh, your bonds going to be denied. Okay.

[00:06:20]>> Yes, sir.

[00:06:21]>> Thank you, sir.

[00:06:30]>> Sure.

[00:06:55]Who you want to do? Who do you want to do for next?

[00:06:58]>> Uh who do you have? Just bring them forward.

[00:07:08]record your address.

[00:08:07]I don't remember what it is.

[00:08:36]All right.

[00:08:40]>> It doesn't matter.

[00:08:43]>> You want to be one of the >> uh bring Jennifer Howard. I'm sorry.

[00:08:48]>> Jennifer Howard.

[00:08:49]>> Yes.

[00:08:52]She's in. So they got to go get her real quick.

[00:10:08]Do you want Miss Howard and Antonio here?

[00:10:11]>> That'll be fine.

[00:10:30]Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Judge G, and this is your bomb hearing this afternoon. Can you hear me? Okay.

[00:10:36]>> Yes, sir.

[00:10:37]>> Very good.

[00:10:40]>> I'll be happy to hear from your attorney in just a second.

[00:10:44]All right, ma'am. If you would, just want to let you know that this is just your bond hearing. At your bond hearing, I'm just going to set your bond only and you have your day in court to decide your innocence of guilt. All right.

[00:11:01]>> You will speak up a little louder. So everything is being recorded. Okay.

[00:11:05]>> Yes, sir.

[00:11:06]>> Thank you very much.

[00:11:12]>> Address, please. Jennifer Nicole Howard 610 Street, South Carolina.

[00:11:22]>> All right, ma'am. Thank you very much.

[00:11:25]And it's my understanding uh you've agreed with the court to have this uh video bonding. Am I correct?

[00:11:32]>> Yes, sir.

[00:11:35]>> All right, ma'am. We've come before court this afternoon. You have looks like three charges.

[00:11:43]All three of which are general sessions charges.

[00:11:49]That first charge B is ending on 0134 ending warrant is obstructing justice.

[00:11:58]That second is criminal conspiracy ending on 0129.

[00:12:06]And the last being 0128 unlawfully placing a child at risk.

[00:12:17]Do you understand those three charges, ma'am?

[00:12:21]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:12:22]>> Very good. All right, ma'am. Anytime you come before court, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for public defender. You have a right to a jury trial. You have a right to be present at your trial. Do you understand your rights?

[00:12:38]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:39]>> You understand that if you fail to appeal on your court date, you may be tried your absence and a warrant may be issued for your arrest upon conviction. You understand that, ma'am?

[00:12:48]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:50]>> All right, ma'am. There are two very important dates I want to give you.

[00:12:54]These are called your mandatory appearance dates. And it's mandatory that you're present on both dates. Okay?

[00:13:00]And you'll be given this in writing as well as your attorney. Okay? September 24th at 1:30 and October 22nd at 900 a.m.

[00:13:11]We also have a right to a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is a probable cause hearing.

[00:13:18]It's a hearing to review the evidence that the state has used to establish probable cause to substantiate the charges that they brought against you.

[00:13:26]Okay?

[00:13:29]You'll be allowed to ask questions.

[00:13:32]You will not be allowed to give this one testimony or present the evidence. And if you want, make the request within 10 days or you can do so by signing the request form. The clerk present you shortly. Okay, >> that's fine.

[00:13:45]>> I I'll be happy to hear from your attorney.

[00:13:49]>> Thank you, honor. My client is 52 years old. She has lived in this community for 19 years. Before that, she lived in Rock Hill. She's been a resident of South Carolina for her entire life. She is married and has three children, two of whom are adults, one is still school age. She and her husband are homeowners and they do have equity in their home.

[00:14:12]Your honor, I tell you all of that because at this hearing, there are only two things to consider. Whether she is a flight risk and whether she is a danger to the community. Given her lengthy ties to this area, your honor, I would submit she is not in fact a flight risk. In addition to that, your honor, my client turned herself in. Starting last week, she retained me and I have been in contact with the sheriff's department since last week. Last week, I asked the sheriff's department to let me know if there were any warrants, and we would happily arrange attorney. I learned about the warrants during the press conference yesterday, like everybody else.

[00:14:54]Despite that, as soon as that press conference was over and those warrants were released, I got on the phone with my client. I got on the phone with the sheriff's department and I immediately arranged for her to turn herself in. She was in her parents' home, which is across the state, which took a couple hours, but they did not have to look.

[00:15:13]The sheriff's department did not have to look for her. She immediately got in the car, came straight here, and turned herself into jail last night as quickly as she could.

[00:15:22]In addition to that, your honor, this morning my client gave a statement to the sheriff's department. She is cooperating with law enforcement. In addition to giving a statement to the sheriff's department, she brought in her electronics. She brought in her computer and her phone. She signed a consent to search form. She gave them her password.

[00:15:43]My client has done and will continue to do everything she can to cooperate in those investigations.

[00:15:54]My client was an employee.

[00:15:59]My client saw was not just her boss, but also her pastor.

[00:16:06]He exercised a great amount of power, not only over that church, but over her individually.

[00:16:16]My client is now ready to cooperate with law enforcement. Will continue to see that she trusted her boss and her pastor to be truthful and honest with her and to take care of the children and the security on that campus.

[00:16:37]Your honor, I think at this point it's fair to say that she feels like she was led astray.

[00:16:46]Your honor, she intends to cooperate so that the correct people are brought to justice. She will continue to do that.

[00:16:54]She is not a flight risk. She is not a danger to this community. And your honor, the South Carolina Constitution says that she and every other defendant are entitled to a bond when it's a nonviolent crime. None of these are violent crimes. She is entitled to a bond. She has come in voluntarily. As soon as there were warrant for her arrest, she's cooperated. She will continue to cooperate. She's going to do everything that she can to assist in the ongoing investigation and prosecution.

[00:17:28]Your honor, she had every reason to believe that the person, her boss, who reported to her that that this arrangement that led to these charges was okay.

[00:17:44]Your honor, her boss was part of the Damascus house which is here in the jail every day. He has close ties being here in the jail and um was in court when Mr. Perry played. And so when her boss and her shepherd, her spiritual shepherd came to her and said, "There's going to be a new volunteer. This is what he's going to do. This is what he's going to do and I've already talked to this probation agent. It's okay. It's all clear. You're good to go. She had no reason to think that he would have been lying to her.

[00:18:23]I'm not here to try to pay. But those arguments go to why this woman is not a danger to the community.

[00:18:31]Your honor, she needs to get home to take care of her children, particularly her minor child. She has another one going back to college.

[00:18:39]I would ask your daughter to please her All right. Thank you very much.

[00:18:51]>> All right. Way in regards to uh 0129 criminal conspiracy 0134 obstructing justice 0128 unlawfully placing a child at risk. Bond will be set at 25,000. George. Okay.

[00:19:14]>> Thank you.

[00:19:28]>> Judge.

[00:19:30]>> Yes.

[00:19:32]>> Um, do you want to do Mr. and Mrs. Williams together since they have the same attorney.

[00:19:40]>> Uh that would be fine if the attorney uh wants to do that. I'd be more than happy to do that.

[00:20:05]Judge, you said the attorney said that you would prefer to do them one at a time if that's okay with you.

[00:20:27]>> That's that's fine.

[00:20:28]>> Okay.

[00:20:32]>> Either one uh would be fine first. All right.

[00:22:12]You doing good?

[00:22:18]>> Yes. Can you hear me?

[00:22:19]>> You doing good?

[00:22:20]>> I'm doing great, sir. How are you?

[00:22:22]>> Hey, complain.

[00:22:23]>> Awesome. Good. Good to see you.

[00:22:26]>> All righty.

[00:22:53]Good afternoon.

[00:22:55]>> Afternoon.

[00:22:56]>> Right, sir. Good afternoon. I'm Judge G.

[00:22:58]So this is the bond hearing this afternoon.

[00:23:02]At the bond hearing, I'm just going to set your bond only.

[00:23:06]You have your day in court to decide your inner sense of guilt. Okay? And I'll be happy to hear from your attorney shortly. I'll let you know when. Okay.

[00:23:15]All right. Ma'am, would please state your full name and address, please.

[00:23:27]South Carolina.

[00:23:30]>> All right, ma'am.

[00:23:32]>> And how long, ma'am, have you been living at that address?

[00:23:37]>> 26 years.

[00:23:42]>> All right.

[00:23:44]>> Okay. Very well.

[00:23:49]All right. Ma'am, is my understanding the court understanding that you agreed to video bonding this afternoon?

[00:23:55]>> Yes, sir.

[00:23:57]>> Very well.

[00:23:58]>> All right, ma'am. You're coming before bombing court this afternoon. You have like two charges, both of which are general sessions charges.

[00:24:06]Go over each one with you so you understand what you're charged with.

[00:24:09]Okay.

[00:24:10]Uh the first one's ending on warrant 0126 criminal conspiracy and the second ending on 0127 obstructing justice.

[00:24:27]Do you understand those two charges ma'am?

[00:24:31]>> Yes sir.

[00:24:32]>> Okay. Very well ma'am. Anytime you come before a court you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for a public defender. You have a right to a jury trial, you have a right to be present at your trial. Do you understand your rights?

[00:24:47]>> Yes, sir.

[00:24:49]>> You understand that if you fail to appear in your court date, you may be tried in your absence and a warrant may be issued for your arrest conviction. You understand that?

[00:24:58]>> Yes, sir.

[00:24:59]>> Very well. All right, ma'am. I'm going to give you two very important court dates. These court dates are important because it's mandatory that you're present on both days. Okay. These are called your mandatory appearance dates and both you and your attorney will get a copy of it. All right. That first date is going to be September 24th at 1:30 and that second date is going to be October 22nd at 9:00 a.m.

[00:25:23]You also have a right to a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is a probable cause hearing. Ma'am, it's a hearing to review the evidence that the state is using to establish probable cause to substantiate the charges they brought against you. Okay?

[00:25:40]>> At this hearing, you'll be allowed to ask questions and make proper motions.

[00:25:44]You will not be allowed to give the sworn testimony or present the evidence.

[00:25:47]Okay? And if you want this, you must make the request within 10 days. Or you can do so by signing request form the clerk present to you shortly. Okay?

[00:25:58]I'd be happy to hear from your attorney.

[00:26:00]>> Thank you. Please court. Our client is 58 years young. Uh she's been part of the island area since 1999.

[00:26:09]Um she met her husband of 38 years. And when he was in seminary, they were in Louisville, Kentucky. Um she had just graduated college. So she has a bachelor's degree in her background.

[00:26:23]She's been a Sunday school director for a long time. Uh, and your honor, she does consent to surrender her passport.

[00:26:31]Uh, she's been working at the church 27 years. She has no record. She has a great deal of ties to our community having been here for 27 years or so.

[00:26:45]Your honor, she does have adult three adult children. She does have grandchildren.

[00:26:51]Uh your honor, yesterday we found out about warrants at the press conference.

[00:26:56]They were out of town visiting relative uh because of safety issues at the home.

[00:27:02]Their home address street was published uh I think by law enforcement. Uh and so they didn't feel safe at home and so they went to a family member's house next county over. Uh we were reaching out at the time to schedule a time to turn ourselves in when we warrant the exact time I was on the phone with them to get this worked out. Law enforcement came and took him. Um we don't think that that was necessary use resources because no no record they were eager to turn themselves in and begin the process of resolving matter.

[00:27:37]Again, no reason to think that they're black that she was black. She has no reason to think that she will be accused of any acts when she's released back or should she be of honor. We don't believe this is a dead person situation. I believe that she is eager to resolve these matters honor again. We ask for a reasonable amount of harm to allow to show the court and handle this case.

[00:28:11]Thank you very much.

[00:28:21]>> Right, Miss Williams. In regards to warrant zero ending 0126, criminal conspiracy warrant ending 0127 obstructing justice. The bond will be set at 25,000 on each charge. Okay.

[00:28:40]Thank you.

[00:31:48]Good afternoon, sir. I'm Judge Gowles and this is your bond hearing this afternoon.

[00:31:53]>> Sir, at your bond hearing, I'm just going to set your bond only and you have your day of court to decide your innocence of guilt. Okay.

[00:32:02]>> All right, sir. If you would please state your full name and address, sir.

[00:32:07]>> McDonald Williams 262 Great Mans Island, South Carolina 2958.

[00:32:17]All >> right, sir. How long have you been living at that address?

[00:32:21]>> Um, 26 years.

[00:32:23]>> All right. Very well.

[00:32:30]>> All right, sir. Is my understanding the court's understanding that you've agreed to video conferencing this afternoon?

[00:32:36]>> Yes. All right. All right. So, you come before bond court this afternoon. You have three charges, all of which are general sessions charges. I'm going go over each one real to you so know you'll know exactly what you're charged with.

[00:32:50]That first charge ending on warrant ending 0133, obstructing justice.

[00:32:59]Warrant ending 0132, unlawfully placing a child at risk.

[00:33:05]warrant inning 0131 criminal conspiracy. Do you understand those three charges, sir?

[00:33:12]>> Yes, sir.

[00:33:14]>> All right, sir. Anytime you come before court, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for a public defender. You have a right to a jury trial. You have a right to be present at your trial. Do you understand your rights?

[00:33:29]>> Yes, sir. You understand that if you fail to appear in your court date, you may be tried your absence and the eventual may be issued for your arrest upon conviction. You understand that?

[00:33:39]>> Yes, sir.

[00:33:41]>> All right, sir. I'm going to give you two very important court dates. These court dates are important because it's mandatory that you're present on both days. These are called your mandatory appearance dates, and you've been given this in writing as well as your attorney.

[00:33:55]September 24th at 1:30 and October 22nd at 9:00 am. Once again, it's mandatory that you're present on both days.

[00:34:04]You also have a right to a pre a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is a probable cause hearing.

[00:34:11]It's a hearing to review the evidence that the state is using to establish probable cause to uh to substantiate the charges they brought against you. And at this hearing, you'll be allowed to ask questions and make proper motions. You will not be allowed to give any testimony or present the evidence. And if you want this, you must make the request within 10 days or you can do so by signing request form the clerk present shortly. Okay.

[00:34:35]>> Yes, sir.

[00:34:37]>> I'd be happy to hear from your attorney.

[00:34:40]>> Thank you very much. Court case Brown Casey Brown Law. A lot of this information will be cumulative, but my client is 68 years old. As I said, he's been in Poly's Island since 1999. He was a military child military based in Charleston. He does have his master's degree. He's been married for 38 years.

[00:35:00]He has three adult children and grandchildren.

[00:35:04]Met his wife in Louisville, Kentucky. He was in seminary there.

[00:35:10]He worked this church for 27 years. He will great he'll gladly surrender his passport. He has no record and a great deal of ties to this community. Again, we were in the midst of surrendering ourselves, working on a schedule. They were the warrants came out in a news conference and we were surprised, didn't get a chance, and then they picked him up in Charleston at a house because they were afraid for his safety at their own.

[00:35:41]But again, there's no reason to think that flight risk. And there reason to think that Barnes to get us behind him and work towards getting charcoal against the court. I ask for reasons he shows up.

[00:36:07]Thank you.

[00:36:08]>> Thank you, sir.

[00:36:13]>> Mr. Williams in regards to the charge on warranty ending 0133 obstructing justice.

[00:36:21]0132 unlawfully placing a child at risk at 0131 criminal conspiracy 25,000 on each charge.

[00:36:38]Catch you.

[00:36:40]>> Thank God.

[00:36:41]>> Thank you sir.

[00:36:42]>> Thank you.