The State from Columbia, South Carolina • 9

The 2 State gion I Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, April 18, 1992 Women's groups plan rally to protest rape verdict By TWILA DECKER Staff Writer The phone lines were jammed Friday at South Carolina women's groups, who plan a rally next week in response to a Lexington County jury's decision to clear a man of raping his wife. "We want to put the message out that when a woman says, it means no," said Nancy Barton, executive director of Sistercare, a domestic violence group. "We're worried that people think a marriage license is a license to rape." The woman who accused her husband of rape plans to attend the rally at noon Tues- day at the State House. Women's groups will speak out against the verdict, which they say shows the need for education. The eight-woman, four-man jury sided with the defense that a videotape of the bound and gagged woman screaming depicted a sex game.

The decision, reached in about 50 minutes, was made without reviewing the tape during deliberations. "It was bad enough to watch the video the first time," jury forewoman Venessa Busbee said, adding that initially the vote was 8-4 not guilty. The jury is believed to be the first in South Carolina to hear a case alleging mari- 'It's a sad sight to see' tal rape. The Legislature passed the law in June after five years of lobbying by women's groups. Rep.

Charles R. Sharpe, whose district covers part of Lexington County, opposed the law, saying tool for wives to use against their husbands. He said the case illustrates how it can be abused. "The courts ruled it was a sex game, and she was just trying to use it to get back at her husband. This law just opens the flood gates for a lot of abuse." But others disagree.

Thursday's verdict shows that the state still has a long way to go in shedding old said Dan Scott of the Eastover Fire Department. When Scott arrived, the church was engulfed in flames, he said. About 45 full-time and volunteer firefighters from Eastover, Gadsden, Lower Richland and Capital View fire departments responded, Assistant Columbia Fire Chief Bradley Anderson said. Friday afternoon, as word of the fire drifted through the Lower Richland community, the curious drifted to the site. Still reeling from the shock, Jane Rye, who, in her 40s, is one of the younger members whose ties to the church go back to childhood, said she fought back tears.

"It was so hard not to cry," Rye said. "I was married at the church, and my children were christened there. I feel nothing but sadness. We didn't have services there anymore, but we love the church." Photos by Anne State Archer Smith of Eastover surveys fire damage. Heat was so intense that it melted stained glass windows.

Fire ravages landmark Eastover church Circuit box suspected An electrical short in a circuit breaker is believed to have caused in Zion Episcopal blaze the fire, reported about 4:30 a.m., said Dan Scott of the Eastover Fire By LORETTA S. NEAL Staff Writer The congregation of Zion Episcopal was like many old community churches that have seen their numbers fade over the years as members grew old, died or moved on. A few years ago, those with loyal ties to the Eastover church about a dozen merged with St. John Episcopal Church in Hopkins and discontinued services at their old church on Vanboklen Street. But on Good Friday, members were drawn back to their home church to see the sanctuary they loved reduced to a shell by an early morning fire.

The old red brick church with pine pews and a plaque on the door identifying it as a historical site was standing, but its interior was ruined. "All I could think of was Good Friday and the desecration," said Exterior of the 81-year-old Eastover church, which is a historic site, sustained little damage. Archer Smith, 81 and a member for 21 years. "It's a sad sight to see. So sad.

I don't think it can be repaired." Damage to the church, started in MADD blasts judge over DUI sentence Group trying to halt Peeples' re-election By TRACY L. BROWN Staff Writer Less than two weeks before Circuit Judge Rodney Peeples goes up for re-election, the Barnwell County Mothers Against Drunk Driving say he must be stopped. The latest controversy embroiling the judge arises from a sentence Peeples handed down Monday against former Barnwell County Councilman James Guess III for driving under the influence. Guess, 71, had three DUI convictions in the past three years. He pleaded guilty Monday to a fifth offense of driving under the influence, a second offense of driving under suspension and speeding.

State law says the sentence for this offense is one to five years in prison. Peeples sentenced Guess to one year's house arrest, which means he can only leave his house to go to such places as church, the doctor and Alco- notions and protecting women's rights, some of those who promoted the law said Friday. "It's going to take awhile to change the attitudes in South Carolina," said Candy Kern, president of the state chapter of the National Organization for Women. Barton, who received non-stop calls Friday from concerned men and women, said, can't help but think this is going to terrorize women into not coming forward and give great pause to Eleventh Circuit Deputy Solicitor Knox McMahon also believes the decision will dissuade other victims from coming forward. In addition, he said he couldn't believe the jury "would make that decision and not even look at the video.

I would think they would want to review all the evidence before making such a serious decision." Juror Busbee said other aspects of the state's case troubled the jury, such as the fact that the woman did not take the ropes off her arms before running to a neighbor's home in tears. Another factor, she said, was the testimony that the woman had engaged in unconventional sexual acts, such as watching pornographic movies and using sex "It showed that she was a willing participant of See Rape, 5B Ex-officer is indicted for assault By BOB STUART He asked SLED to investigate, also. Staff Writer Hollinshead was placed on adminA former Columbia police officer istrative suspension before he was was indicted Friday for using exces- fired. sive force in the arrest of a suspect. "I took what was the appropriate Kevin Hollinshead, who was fired disciplinary action," Austin said.

He from the department early this said the internal affairs investigation month, was indicted for assault and of Hollinshead showed that he had battery of a high and aggravated na- "violated departmental policies." ture by a Richland County grand jury, "It's been our commitment that which heard testimony from a SLED any time we deal with the public, agent Thursday. we're going to be fair, and our conThe indictment came after an in- duct will be above reproach," Austin vestigation of the Feb. 12 incident by said. the Columbia Police Department and Austin said the case "is the first the State Law Enforcement Division. time something of this magnitude" The indictment charges that Hol- has happened in his 19 months as linshead used his "hands, fist and chief.

"But it's not indicative of the feet" on a male suspect, before and majority of personalities in the Coafter the suspect was handcuffed. Po- lumbia Police Department," he said. lice Chief Charles P. Austin said the The date of Hollinshead's arraignincident allegedly occurred during a ment has not been set, 5th Circuit drug raid. Solicitor Dick Harpootlian said.

The allegations against Hollin- The aggravated-assault charge shead, who had been a Columbia offi- against Hollinshead is a misdemeancer for about a year, came to his or, but carries a maximum jail senattention a month ago, Austin said. tence of 10 years. "We initiated an investigation. No Hollinshead could not be reached' complaint was filed with us," he said. for comment Friday night.

2 street preachers arrested in 15 Points Shouting men charged businesses and customers that they were shouting," Sweatt said. Those under city noise law complaining included diners eating outside. By BOB STUART The two men, carrying Bibles, Staff Writer were told it was OK to preach, but not Two street preachers were arrest- to shout. Despite the warning, the ed Friday night in Five Points for men continued to shout for about half violating Columbia's noise ordinance. an hour, he said.

Stephen Williamson of Columbia "They've been coming down here and William Randall of Lexington since Valentine's Day, usually on Friwere charged with violating the day and Saturday nights," said Nick shouting section of the ordinance, Sgt. Wise, who works at Adriana's GelaJim Sweatt of the Columbia police teria, a restaurant at 721 Saluda. said. "And they've attracted some large Sweatt said police were called to crowds, mostly hecklers." the 700 block of Saluda Avenue about They spent most of their time in 8:30 p.m. See Preachers, 6B "We received complaints from 1846, built in 1911 and designated a historical site by the Richland County Bicentennial Committee in 1976, was estimated at $300,000 investigators said.

holics Anonymous meetings. Lillian Hammock of MADD said Guess should have gotten jail time. "Instead, he got a slap on the hand," she said. "And this is the largest slap in the face to every DUI victim in the state of South Carolina; something has to be done about it. Judge Peeples has pulled some dillies before, but this one takes the cake." Peeples refused to comment except to say: "I did what I deemed appropriate under the circumstances." According to Peeples, Guess served time in an Orangeburg County jail for his fourth DUI offense.

Hammock said MADD wants leg'islators to hold Peeples accountable for his actions. Peeples is up for re-election April 29 for another six-year term. House Democratic Leader Joe McElveen, one of the legislators trying to change the way South Carolina chooses judges, said the complaints against Peeples usually concern his temperament on the bench, not his sentencing. "His reputation is that he's very Special Sunday Prodigal flock will enjoy novel Easter services Easter services, 5D its first sunrise service at 6:45 a.m., conducted by the By JENNIFER NICHOLSON Rev. Michael Greer, pastor of Park Street Baptist Staff Writer Church.

So you only go to church on Easter and Christmas? Southland Memorial Gardens will hold its 22nd You're not alone. Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. The sponsors are Pollsters at the Princeton Religion Research Cen- Emmanuel Lutheran, Springdale Baptist, Platt ter last year found that 70 percent of the people they Springs United Methodist and Holland Avenue Baptist surveyed planned to attend services on Easter. That's churches. The Rev.

Kay Overcash of Emmanuel Luopposed to the 40 percent who go to church regularly. theran will deliver the message. Chairs will be providit's been awhile since you've gone to church, ed for the elderly. you'll want to make it special. And a number of Mid- If it rains, the service will move to Platt Springs lands churches have prepared a place for you.

Many United Methodist Church. Southland Memorial Garwill hold sunrise services and serve breakfast. Others dens is at 700 West Dunbar Road in West Columbia. have gone even further to create a memorable wor- Greenlawn Memorial Park will hold its 30th annuship experience. Here are some of the offerings.

al Easter service at 7 a.m. The Rev. G. William Allen A sunrise service will be held at Fort Jackson's of Trinity Presbyterian Church will deliver the mesPatton Stadium, or, in case of rain, Lee Field House. sage, "God's Greatest Story." Maj.

Gen. Mathew Zimmerman, the Army's chief of Greenlawn's service is sponsored by the Lower chaplains, will speak at the 6:30 a.m. service, which Richland Ruritan Club, Greenlawn Baptist, Mill Creek also will include music by Beth Fallaw-Greer, the Methodist, McLeod Methodist, Temple Baptist, Gene282nd Army Band and a soldier's choir. The service is sis Church of God in Christ, Trinity Assembly of God open to the public. and Asbury Memorial United Methodist.

Columbia Evangelical Church will hold an Easter If the weather is bad, the service will move to service on the steps of the State House from 6:30 to 7 Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, adjacent a.m. The service is sponsored by the Columbia Pastors to the park at 7100 Sumter Highway. Worshipers Fellowship, and the Rev. Jed Snyder will speak. should bring chairs.

Sunrise services also will be held, in conjunction Among the more unusual services is one begun in with a yariety of churches, at three cemeteries. Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood will hold See Easter, Judge Rodney Peeples comes under fire again. tough on criminal defendants," said McElveen, D-Sumter. "I wouldn't second-guess him on this because I don't know all the facts and circumstances." McElveen said he would have to know how Peeples has sentenced other multiple DUI offenders and offenders who are in their 70s to make a judgment on the Guess case. "Under the proper circumstances, See Peeples, 5B.