Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter says he deserves new trial

Yahoo

17-04-2025

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) — A man convicted in a killing back in 2014 is back in court saying he deserves a new trial. WSAV News 3 was the only local media in the courtroom.
Preston Oates shot and killed Carlos Olivera on Christmas Even in 2010. The shooting happened after an altercation between the two men.
Oates was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and gun charges in his 2014 trial. He is currently serving 24 years in prison.
Oates was in Beaufort County court today after filing for Post conviction Relief (PCR). Oates claims he had ineffective counsel during his trial and ineffective counsel during his appeals. He also claims prosecutorial misconduct on the case.
During today's hearing, Oates used terms like 'character assassination' by law enforcement. Prosecutors add that his lawyers did not allow him or consider allowing him to have a character witness.
The South Carolina Attorney General's office is defending the conviction. Oates has appealed his conviction all the way to the South Carolina Supreme Court in 2013 and was denied by all those courts.
The incident started when Oates, a tow truck driver, was trying to boot Olivera's vehicle.
In the original trial it was said that Olivera, who did have a concealed weapons permit, showed Oates his gun. Oates then went to get a gun from his truck and shot Olivera six times, including once in the back.
Prosecutors claimed Oates was the aggressor in this altercation, proved by the fact he continued to fire at Olivera after he started to walk away.
Initially Oates was charged with murder. A jury did not find him guilty of that charge, but did find him guilty of voluntary manslaughter and weapons charges.
WSAV News 3 will have more beginning today on First News at 4.
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