Latest news with #CharlieCondon
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alex Murdaugh trial: Experts weigh in on possibility of an overturned murder conviction
Experts disagree on whether Alex Murdaugh will get a murder trial do-over after former Colleton County, South Carolina, court clerk Becky Hill was charged with several felonies on Wednesday in two counties. "The [suggestion] that Becky Hill is now in legal trouble helps Alex Murdaugh — I strongly disagree with that," former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon told Fox News Digital. "I think the exact opposite is really true." The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on Wednesday afternoon announced that Hill, 57, has been charged with obstructing justice and misconduct in Colleton County and perjury in Richland County. The perjury charge stems from a lie she allegedly told South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Toal in January 2024, when the justice ruled that a new trial was not necessary for Murdaugh upon his appeal. Charging documents state that when Toal asked Hill, "Did you allow anyone from the press to view sealed exhibits?" Hill responded, "No, ma'am," which is apparently inconsistent with evidence obtained by authorities. They also accuse her of showing sealed photos to a reporter and using her official position as Colleton County clerk for financial gain, specifically by promoting her book about the Murdaugh case on social media. Murdaugh Court Clerk Becky Hill Released On Bond After Arrest On Perjury, Misconduct Charges A Colleton County jury in 2023 convicted Murduagh in the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on his family hunting estate. The disgraced personal injury lawyer, whose family had a stronghold on the justice system in neighboring Hampton County for about a century, had requested the new hearing based on allegations of jury tampering surrounding Hill, which Murdaugh's defense team had argued warranted a new trial. Read On The Fox News App SLED's charging documents filed Wednesday, however, do not accuse Hill of jury tampering. Fox News Digital has reached out to Hill's attorney, Will Lewis, for comment. Former South Carolina Clerk In Murdaugh Murder Trial Arrested On Multiple Felonies In 2 Counties Condon said he was "surprised by the charges" against Hill "and that they did not include jury tampering." "That had been… the focus at the hearing for the retrial. Nothing in [Hill's charges] about jury tampering," he said. "To my mind, it's a really big win for the state and a big loss for the defense because a main ground of their appeal would be this jury tampering, and the fact that there are no charges against former clerk Hill for jury tampering tells me that the authorities looked at that and did not believe there was sufficient evidence to show that she tampered with the jury." South Carolina Judge Denies Alex Murdaugh's Request For A New Murder Trial Meanwhile, attorney Eric Bland of Bland Richter LLP, who represented multiple jurors in Murdaugh's murder trial and several victims of his financial crimes, told Fox News Digital that "the optics" of Hill's charges "bode well for Alex Murdaugh." "Three of those charges that are pending in Colleton County really have nothing to do with the trial. [Those are] actions that she took outside of that trial in the course and scope of her duties, taking advantage of her office — obstruction activity. That has nothing to do with it," Bland explained. "One charge in Richland County is a perjury charge. And it's perjury that does stem from the [January 2024] hearing where Justice Toal rendered a decision not giving a new trial to Alex Murdaugh." Bland noted that Toal said during the 2024 hearing that she did not find Hill's testimony entirely credible and did not take it into consideration when ruling against a retrial. "At the end of the day, this is going to be a legal decision on appeal," Bland said. "Was Justice Toal correct in applying the South Carolina standard on juror interference by an official? And that, as the South Carolina standard says, you not only have to show the juror interference, but you have to show the effect that it had on the jurors and their verdict. I represented six of those jurors. Eleven of those jurors said… anything that Becky Hill said didn't have any effect on our verdict." Of 12 total jurors who found Murdaugh guilty in 2023, 11 said Hill did not influence their decisions. One said he heard the clerk make comments about watching Murdaugh's body language but said her words did not influence his verdict. Even if Murdaugh were to get his sentenced reversed and a retrial, he would still be serving the rest of his life in prison for his financial crimes, defrauding his law clients out of millions of dollars, Bland noted. WATCH: REBECCA HILL ON THE MURDAUGH VERDICT: Both Condon and Bland said Hill presented herself in a professional manner over the course of Murdaugh's murder trial, including one of the first days when a bomb threat shut down the entire courthouse and everyone inside had to evacuate. "She was very warm and engaging, and don't forget… she touches every aspect of the trial," Bland said. "She is in charge of the court personnel, the bailiffs. She's in charge of the clerk of court's office, where all the filings for the case go, and marshaling all the evidence. She's in charge of the jurors and making sure that they get there on time and they're comfortable and they have something to eat. She participates in all the meetings with the judge and the defense attorneys. So, she's privy to everything. And I think it just got to her head." WATCH: Becky Hill is asked whether she tampered with the jury Alex Murdaugh Court Clerk Becky Hill Misused Thousands Of Dollars On Paint Supplies, Dog Bed, Gifts: Complaint Condon similarly said the Colleton County courthouse is located in the small town of Walterboro, which does not often see high-profile criminal trials like the Murdaugh case. "She probably was trying to be accommodating," Condon said of the charges accusing her of sharing sealed photos with a reporter. "She's a really nice lady, probably trying to help somebody with their story. And again, I don't think there was a malicious intent with that whatsoever. Having said that... one would expect a clerk of court under these heightened circumstances to follow each and every rule, and the allegations show that she did not. But I don't think it was done with any evil intention." Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, Murdaugh's defense attorneys, told Fox News Digital in a Wednesday statement that while the charges against Hill "are serious, they are not surprising." WATCH: ALEX MURDAUGH ATTORNEY DICK HARPOOTLIAN REACTS TO HILL'S ARREST "We have long raised our concerns about her conduct during and after the trial and this arrest further underscores the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process. Every defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial trial and we look forward to Alex Murdaugh finally getting that fair treatment," the attorneys said. Harpootlian told Fox News on Wednesday that he believes the charges against Hill will result in a new trial for Murdaugh. Hill was also previously accused of sending herself nearly $10,000 in federal bonuses in the form of child support payments, according to a notice of hearing. She used federal funds to give food and gifts to court employees, including "Easter Goodies," Mother's and Father's Day gifts, and Valentine's Day gifts; paint supplies; flowers and decor; various meals for herself; office furniture; and dog food, dog bones and a dog bed, among other items. SLED charging documents make note of the bonus payments. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter The former court clerk, who held her position for about four years, resigned in March following allegations of jury tampering in the Murdaugh trial but maintained that her decision to leave office was not the result of her conduct during the double murder trial. "Another significant impact in our clerk's office was in 2023, when we had to manage one of the biggest trials in South Carolina history. Our small town came together and made everyone proud," Hill said during a news conference at the time to announce her resignation. "Managing a trial with such importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as to the national and international media interest and public scrutiny, has caused me to reflect upon decisions involving my stay in the office of the clerk of court." She added that her decision not to seek re-election in 2024 would allow her to "focus on being a wife, a mother and a grandmother," and that she wanted to provide "ample time to other Republican candidates" interested in the position of Colleton County court clerk. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Her former attorney, Justin Bamberg, who has represented victims of Murdaugh's financial crimes, said at a March news conference that Hill's decision had nothing to do with any pending investigations involving the article source: Alex Murdaugh trial: Experts weigh in on possibility of an overturned murder conviction
Fox News
17-05-2025
- Fox News
Alex Murdaugh trial: Experts weigh in on possibility of an overturned murder conviction
Experts disagree on whether Alex Murdaugh will get a murder trial do-over after former Colleton County, South Carolina, court clerk Becky Hill was charged with several felonies on Wednesday in two counties. "The [suggestion] that Becky Hill is now in legal trouble helps Alex Murdaugh — I strongly disagree with that," former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon told Fox News Digital. "I think the exact opposite is really true." The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on Wednesday afternoon announced that Hill, 57, has been charged with obstructing justice and misconduct in Colleton County and perjury in Richland County. The perjury charge stems from a lie she allegedly told South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Toal in January 2024, when the justice ruled that a new trial was not necessary for Murdaugh upon his appeal. Charging documents state that when Toal asked Hill, "Did you allow anyone from the press to view sealed exhibits?" Hill responded, "No, ma'am," which is apparently inconsistent with evidence obtained by authorities. They also accuse her of showing sealed photos to a reporter and using her official position as Colleton County clerk for financial gain, specifically by promoting her book about the Murdaugh case on social media. A Colleton County jury in 2023 convicted Murduagh in the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on his family hunting estate. The disgraced personal injury lawyer, whose family had a stronghold on the justice system in neighboring Hampton County for about a century, had requested the new hearing based on allegations of jury tampering surrounding Hill, which Murdaugh's defense team had argued warranted a new trial. SLED's charging documents filed Wednesday, however, do not accuse Hill of jury tampering. Fox News Digital has reached out to Hill's attorney, Will Lewis, for comment. Condon said he was "surprised by the charges" against Hill "and that they did not include jury tampering." "That had been… the focus at the hearing for the retrial. Nothing in [Hill's charges] about jury tampering," he said. "To my mind, it's a really big win for the state and a big loss for the defense because a main ground of their appeal would be this jury tampering, and the fact that there are no charges against former clerk Hill for jury tampering tells me that the authorities looked at that and did not believe there was sufficient evidence to show that she tampered with the jury." Meanwhile, attorney Eric Bland of Bland Richter LLP, who represented multiple jurors in Murdaugh's murder trial and several victims of his financial crimes, told Fox News Digital that "the optics" of Hill's charges "bode well for Alex Murdaugh." "Three of those charges that are pending in Colleton County really have nothing to do with the trial. [Those are] actions that she took outside of that trial in the course and scope of her duties, taking advantage of her office — obstruction activity. That has nothing to do with it," Bland explained. "One charge in Richland County is a perjury charge. And it's perjury that does stem from the [January 2024] hearing where Justice Toal rendered a decision not giving a new trial to Alex Murdaugh." Bland noted that Toal said during the 2024 hearing that she did not find Hill's testimony entirely credible and did not take it into consideration when ruling against a retrial. "At the end of the day, this is going to be a legal decision on appeal," Bland said. "Was Justice Toal correct in applying the South Carolina standard on juror interference by an official? And that, as the South Carolina standard says, you not only have to show the juror interference, but you have to show the effect that it had on the jurors and their verdict. I represented six of those jurors. Eleven of those jurors said… anything that Becky Hill said didn't have any effect on our verdict." Of 12 total jurors who found Murdaugh guilty in 2023, 11 said Hill did not influence their decisions. One said he heard the clerk make comments about watching Murdaugh's body language but said her words did not influence his verdict. Even if Murdaugh were to get his sentenced reversed and a retrial, he would still be serving the rest of his life in prison for his financial crimes, defrauding his law clients out of millions of dollars, Bland noted. WATCH: REBECCA HILL ON THE MURDAUGH VERDICT: Both Condon and Bland said Hill presented herself in a professional manner over the course of Murdaugh's murder trial, including one of the first days when a bomb threat shut down the entire courthouse and everyone inside had to evacuate. "She was very warm and engaging, and don't forget… she touches every aspect of the trial," Bland said. "She is in charge of the court personnel, the bailiffs. She's in charge of the clerk of court's office, where all the filings for the case go, and marshaling all the evidence. She's in charge of the jurors and making sure that they get there on time and they're comfortable and they have something to eat. She participates in all the meetings with the judge and the defense attorneys. So, she's privy to everything. And I think it just got to her head." WATCH: Becky Hill is asked whether she tampered with the jury Condon similarly said the Colleton County courthouse is located in the small town of Walterboro, which does not often see high-profile criminal trials like the Murdaugh case. "She probably was trying to be accommodating," Condon said of the charges accusing her of sharing sealed photos with a reporter. "She's a really nice lady, probably trying to help somebody with their story. And again, I don't think there was a malicious intent with that whatsoever. Having said that... one would expect a clerk of court under these heightened circumstances to follow each and every rule, and the allegations show that she did not. But I don't think it was done with any evil intention." Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, Murdaugh's defense attorneys, told Fox News Digital in a Wednesday statement that while the charges against Hill "are serious, they are not surprising." WATCH: ALEX MURDAUGH ATTORNEY DICK HARPOOTLIAN REACTS TO HILL'S ARREST "We have long raised our concerns about her conduct during and after the trial and this arrest further underscores the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process. Every defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial trial and we look forward to Alex Murdaugh finally getting that fair treatment," the attorneys said. Harpootlian told Fox News on Wednesday that he believes the charges against Hill will result in a new trial for Murdaugh. Hill was also previously accused of sending herself nearly $10,000 in federal bonuses in the form of child support payments, according to a notice of hearing. She used federal funds to give food and gifts to court employees, including "Easter Goodies," Mother's and Father's Day gifts, and Valentine's Day gifts; paint supplies; flowers and decor; various meals for herself; office furniture; and dog food, dog bones and a dog bed, among other items. SLED charging documents make note of the bonus payments. The former court clerk, who held her position for about four years, resigned in March following allegations of jury tampering in the Murdaugh trial but maintained that her decision to leave office was not the result of her conduct during the double murder trial. "Another significant impact in our clerk's office was in 2023, when we had to manage one of the biggest trials in South Carolina history. Our small town came together and made everyone proud," Hill said during a news conference at the time to announce her resignation. "Managing a trial with such importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as to the national and international media interest and public scrutiny, has caused me to reflect upon decisions involving my stay in the office of the clerk of court." She added that her decision not to seek re-election in 2024 would allow her to "focus on being a wife, a mother and a grandmother," and that she wanted to provide "ample time to other Republican candidates" interested in the position of Colleton County court clerk. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Her former attorney, Justin Bamberg, who has represented victims of Murdaugh's financial crimes, said at a March news conference that Hill's decision had nothing to do with any pending investigations involving the clerk.
New York Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 Bowman Baseball: Charlie Condon and other prospect and rookie redemption cards to target
Baseball card collectors typically run far away from anything having to do with the Colorado Rockies. But with Wednesday's release of 2025 Bowman Baseball, one of the most anticipated sets of the year for prospect collectors, the National League West basement dwellers might possess the biggest chase cards out there. Topps even felt brave enough to place Charlie Condon, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, as one of the two box coverboys, along with Washington Nationals budding star James Wood. Condon should be among the most sought after prospects in this Bowman set, making the Rockies one of the highest-priced teams for those collectors hopping into pick-your-team box breaks for this product. The Rockies outfield prospect was ranked as the No. 1 player by The Athletic's Keith Law leading into last year's draft. Condon ranked 34th among Law's top 100 prospects entering the 2025 season. FIRST LOOK: Charlie Condon's first professional autograph cards arrive in 2025 Bowman Baseball. Pre-order tomorrow at 12 PM EST ⏰ — Topps (@Topps) April 8, 2025 Two other prospects ranked higher than Condon in Law's preseason top 100 list will also have their coveted 'Bowman 1st' cards (a first licensed pro card which can be more valuable than a player's actual MLB rookie card) in this set: Detroit Tigers second baseman Kevin McGonigle (No. 23) and St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (No. 32). Only Wetherholt has been active all season among the top three players, with Condon and McGonigle missing time with injuries. Here's a glimpse at the players among Law's top 100 preseason prospect list with Bowman 1st cards in the newly released set: 23. Kevin McGonigle, 2B, Tigers Law pre-2025 season analysis: 'McGonigle is probably going to have a very long career as an above-average regular who ranks among the league leaders in OBP with just average or fringy power and solid defense at second … and, if he hits what I'd arbitrarily call a 95th percentile outcome, retire with 2,500 hits.' 32. JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals Law: 'Regardless of Wetherholt's position, his swing mechanics and his approach at the plate point to high averages and a lot of doubles power, enough to make him a long-time regular who might challenge for some batting titles.' 34. Charlie Condon, OF, Rockies Law: 'Condon is a 30-homer bat with the kind of contact quality that leads to high BABIPs and averages, and he should be a plus defender in an outfield corner — but there's more uncertainty here than there was on draft day (.180/.248/.270 in 109 minor league plate appearances).' 42. Franklin Arias, SS, Red Sox Law: 'Arias has the upside of a plus defender at short with above-average OBPs and 20 homers a year, with the only major risk just his age (19) and the distance he has to travel to get to the majors.' 55. Quinn Mathews, P, Cardinals Law: 'Mathews has clearly passed most of the Cardinals' other pitching prospects and is probably the best guy called up for a rotation spot in the majors if there's an injury — or if they move one of their veterans in a trade before Opening Day.' 57. Thomas White, P, Marlins Law: 'White did a great job preparing himself for the season last winter and the Marlins might have a future ace.' 78. Jesus Made, SS, Brewers Law: 'I very rarely put international free agents on my top 100 before they've played a game in the U.S. complex leagues, but two things worked in Made's favor this year: the minors are as thin as ever in elite prospects, and he's really *&^ing good. … Made could easily be a top 20 prospect at this time next year if the approach and the loud contact carry over to the ACL or even Low A.' 86. Slade Caldwell, OF, Diamondbacks Law: 'Caldwell isn't the next Corbin Carroll, another undersized outfielder who the Dbacks selected and developed into a superstar, but he could move quickly through A-ball if his plate discipline is really as good as advertised.' Red Rookie Redemptions add another chase to Bowman Roki Sasaki's Red Rookie Redemption card. (Image: Topps) A new wrinkle to this year's set will give collectors an additional chase outside Bowman 1st autographs and popular anime insert cards. The Bowman Red Rookie Redemption campaign debuts in 2025 Bowman, where red 'RC' logos will be stamped onto a 'limited' number of rookie refractor cards and placed in packs. If any of the 30 players with red rookie refractors win AL or NL Rookie of the Year honors, collectors can turn in the card for $100 in Fanatics FanCash, which can be used to buy cards and apparel through Topps parent company Fanatics. The redemption value jumps if collectors hold the card and the player wins MVP or Cy Young awards as well as Hall of Fame induction. Here's a list of the 30 players with red RC logo cards (* denotes players not eligible for 2025 ROY honors): Luisangel Acuña, SS, Mets Kevin Alcántara, OF, Cubs Adael Amador, 2B, Rockies Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals Caden Dana, P, Angels Adrian Del Castillo, C, Diamondbacks David Festa*, P, Twins Jackson Jobe, P, Tigers Jace Jung, 3B, Tigers Hyeseong Kim, 2B, Dodgers Brooks Lee*, SS, Twins Tyler Locklear, 1B, Mariners Rhett Lowder, P, Reds Orelvis Martinez, 2B, Blue Jays Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles Jhonkensy Noel*, OF, Guardians Connor Norby*, 3B, Marlins Ben Rice*, 1B, Yankees Kumar Rocker, P, Rangers River Ryan, P, Dodgers Thomas Saggese, 2B, Cardinals Roki Sasaki, P, Dodgers Spencer Schwellenbach*, P, Braves Tomoyuki Sugano, P, Orioles Drew Thorpe*, P, Tigers Hurston Waldrep, P, Braves Shay Whitcomb, SS, Astros Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics James Wood*, OF, Nationals Nick Yorke, 2B, Pirates
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia baseball ranked in preseason top five
The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team is ranked in the preseason top five according to Perfect Game. Georgia checks in as the No. 4 team in Perfect Game's preseason rankings. The No. 1 Texas A&M Aggies, No. 2 LSU Tigers, No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers, and No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers round out the preseason top five. Perfect Game is higher on Georgia than other preseason top 25 rankings. Last season, Georgia baseball went 43-17 before falling to the NC State Wolfpack in the Athens Super Regional. Georgia baseball star slugger Charlie Condon went No. 3 in the 2024 MLB draft and is not returning to Athens for another season. Georgia returns star pitcher Kolten Smith and outfielder Tre Phelps. UGA baseball coach Wes Johnson is entering his second season with the Bulldogs. He had an outstanding debut season, but Georgia still came up short of the College World Series. According to Perfect Game, Georgia add eight of the 50 best transfers in the portal. Georgia should have another talented team that is fun to watch as UGA faces the stacked SEC, which is the best conference in college baseball. The Georgia baseball season begins on Friday, Feb. 14 against Quinnipac University in Wilmington, North Carolina. Georgia's first home game is not until Thursday, Feb. 20 against UIC. UGA's Foley Field now has artificial turf instead of natural grass.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
EV maker Scout Motors wants to sell directly to buyers but can't do it in its home state
Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors is making a massive bet in the electric SUV market with a carefully cultivated experience that will allow some customers to buy the company's vehicle in minutes on an app and then use it to handle everything after from repairs to updates and upgrades. But without some help from lawmakers, that will be impossible in South Carolina, where the company is pouring billions into its new auto plant and a Scout Motors experience like BMW's test track in Greer. In a world where almost everything can be bought online, automobiles remain an exception. Supporters of the dealership model say the experience allows buyers to compare prices across several businesses. Unlike a pair of pants, where color, style and size are about the only concerns, buying a car involves financing, state registration, taxes, regulations — and often a test drive. South Carolina is one of about two dozen states that ban manufacturers from selling vehicles directly to consumers and instead require all new autos be purchased through a dealer. Scout would like to see that practice changed nationwide for all EV makers and figured it could start in its new backyard. South Carolina also bans manufacturers from owning their own service centers, which means anyone who wants to own a Scout SUV must travel to another state to have it repaired or serviced. People who back the dealership structure said online sales could lead to carmakers raising their own prices with less competition. The dealership structure requires local business owners to back what they sell and assure buyers get quality service on their vehicles. Auto dealers often have close ties to their communities and cities could lose one of their biggest businesses and heftiest taxpayers. 'If for some reason the car is a lemon or the job isn't getting done, they are the folks who live there, who pay their taxes and send their kids to school,' said Republican Sen. Larry Grooms, who runs the Senate Transportation Committee where any bill changing the rules would likely end up. Scout is determined to get the law changed to help them as well as other EV makers like Tesla and Rivian. They have gone on a media blitz that includes stories in local outlets. They are also trying to secure support in a Republican-dominated state with an argument that consumers should be free to buy whatever they wish directly, without a middleman. Scout also is armed with a 2000 Attorney General 's Office opinion on the bill which would weeks later would become law and serve as the most recent major overhaul to South Carolina's laws on new car buying. 'If a manufacturer cannot sell his own product, but must constitutionally pass that product through a 'middle man,' then our understanding of the free market system is way off base. The Internet is a worldwide web for trade, not a local instrument for protectionism,' wrote then-Republican state Attorney General Charlie Condon in the opinion, which is not binding and an educated guess on what a judge might do if someone sued over the law. Scout officials say using a dealership-only business model would make the vehicles aimed at the under-$60,000 market too expensive and complicate what the company wants to be a seamless experience, from start to finish. Gov. Henry McMaster touts the Scout plant in Blythewood as one of his biggest economic development scores The Republican has been to both the February 2024 groundbreaking of the massive facility and this month's ceremony to mark work starting on a new $150 million interstate interchange the state is paying for to help get workers, parts and new SUVs in and out. McMaster recently said he wants to protect dealers, but wants to let Scout sell directly, too. 'Over the last few years with the Internet and Amazon and all the others customers are looking for their freedom and that ability to order things direct without a middleman,' McMaster said. Scout is trying to find a niche in a growing but uncertain U.S. electric vehicle market. President Donald Trump's election could threaten the industry, both through ending tax credits and tariffs that could raise prices. The original Scout Motors made gasoline-powered vehicles for about 20 years when it was owned by International Harvester. Production ended in 1980, but their shape and features continue to influence modern SUVs. Scouts have had a niche fanbase of collectors ever since. The new Scout Motors is trying to tap into a mix of nostalgia and technology. Key to Scout's success will be its app, Scout Vice President of Growth Cody Thacker said. He envisions a Scout buyer scrolling through types and colors, performance and comfort options and hundreds of other choices. Financing, titling and paperwork would all be handled in minutes instead of the hours it takes at dealerships. That custom SUV could then be delivered to the buyer's door. 'You see the point of contention and the huge opportunity,' Thacker said. Scout's plant in Blythewood, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Columbia, is expected to open in 2027 and employ up to 4,000 people if the company can hit its goal of making and selling 200,000 vehicles per year. Scout also wants to build by its plant a center where people could test drive vehicles on a company-owned track and take tours. For it to work, the company wants to be able to sell someone a vehicle after they zoom around the site, Thacker said. South Carolina agreed in 2023 to give Scout more than $1 billion in incentives to land the plant. At the time, the dealership law wasn't on their radar. It came up as executives started looking at their business model, Thacker said. The company doesn't regret choosing South Carolina and still believes it gave them the best workforce, economic climate and infrastructure. And it will move forward if the law isn't changed selling its vehicles through other states where it can get national licenses sending the money and tax benefits out of the state, Thacker said.
