Court Opinion

ID: 9623830
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 06:44:13.807684+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:05:35.084416
License: Public Domain

Gregory, Chief Justice,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-7-100(2) (1976), a trial judge may grant a change of venue “when there is reason to believe a fair and impartial trial cannot be had.” The standard to be applied is strict and the burden on the moving party formidable. Davenport v. Summer, 269 S.C. 382, 237 S.E. (2d) 494 (1977). The fact that inappropriate jurors were seated at the first trial which ended in mistrial is not dispositive of the issue whether an impartial trial is unavailable in Union County. Prospective jurors at a retrial could be screened on voir dire for disqualifying relationships to either petitioner. I disagree with the majority’s conclusion on the change of venue issue as a ground for affirming the Court of Appeals’ decision. I would reverse the Court of Appeals’ decision dismissing petitioners’ appeal and remand for it to consider the issue of change of venue.