Columbia’s Easter Mass Shooting: A Conviction and Ongoing Legal Battles
In Columbia, South Carolina, a significant legal moment unfolded last Thursday as a jury swiftly convicted Jewayne Price, a 24-year-old, of multiple charges related to a shocking mass shooting at the Columbiana Centre mall during Easter weekend in 2022. The jurors took just over an hour to reach their verdict, finding Price guilty on all counts, including attempted murder. This incident has left a lasting impact on the community, with over a dozen people injured, including nine who were shot, their ages ranging from just 15 to 73 years old.
The Context of the Incident
The lead prosecutor, 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, painted a vivid picture during his closing arguments about why all three men charged—Price, Amari Smith, and Marquise Robinson—are equally culpable. “None of them have self-defense,” he asserted, emphasizing that the actions of the trio created a perilous situation that escalated into chaos. He noted that Price fired first, ramping up the violence in a space crowded with families and children, asking the jury rhetorically, “Who ramped it up that high? Price.” It was a direct and powerful statement on the recklessness exhibited that day.
The Nature of the Feud
Underlying this terrifying event was a longstanding feud between Price and the other two defendants, which traces back to the murder of a high school athlete, Amon Rice, in 2018. Although over 20 individuals were charged in connection with Rice’s death, Price himself saw those charges dropped when a grand jury did not find sufficient cause. The resentment that built over the years set the stage for the confrontation at the mall, as Hubbard described how “when this hate met up in the middle of the mall, it didn’t turn into an exchange of words or a fistfight; it turned into warfare.”
The Defense’s Perspective
Price’s defense attorney, Todd Rutherford, argued passionately for his client during the trial, suggesting that Price acted in fear for his life given that he was allegedly pursued by armed men. In an animated closing argument, Rutherford asked the jury to understand that Price was merely defending himself. “Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that’s an insult,” he remarked, before vehemently countering the state’s position. He painted a picture of a terrified man under threat, urging the jurors to consider the circumstances of the chase, including two co-defendants closely following Price, one of whom was described as wearing a ski mask.
The Jury’s Verdict
Nevertheless, the jury was swayed by the prosecution’s portrayal of Price’s actions. They listened to testimonies from several victims who vividly recounted the panic and trauma of that day, highlighting the lasting scars left on everyone present at the mall. Hubbard encapsulated the sentiment of fear that the shooting instigated: “You think they’ll ever go in there again?”
Where Do We Go from Here?
Price’s sentencing has been delayed pending the outcomes of trials for Smith and Robinson, the other two men involved. The trial for Smith is set to begin shortly, and both sides of this ongoing saga continue to grapple with the events that transpired. Rutherford expressed discontent following the verdict, stating, “What happened at trial was a perversion of justice,” vowing to appeal the decision. He feels strongly that the jury was not fully aware of the full context of the events, particularly regarding the notion of self-defense under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law.
As the community watches closely, the legal battles continue. The toll of this shooting is palpable, and it underscores the urgent need for dialogue around gun violence and conflict resolution in such charged situations. It remains to be seen what the future holds, not just for those involved, but for the entire Columbia community as they navigate the aftermath of this tragic incident.
