After being arrested for public disorderly conduct, a 19-year-old South Carolina resident who was sentenced to five years' parole after being accused of raping a teenager was ordered to register as a sex predator.
Turner pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault and battery as part of a deal with prosecutors. The judge said that he wouldn't have to register as a sex offender if he violated the terms of his sentence.
Turner was arrested again in Orangeburg after a deputy found him drunk and walking down a road. He told the deputy he had three drinks at the bar. Turner said he would bite the deputy's finger off if he tried to put on a mask.
Turner was accused of threatening a public employee, buying orpossessing alcohol as a minor, and violating the terms of his parole.
Turner admitted to having an alcohol problem that he would like to address through rehabilitation, according to his lawyer. Turner's age and lack of a prior record should be taken into account by the judge before he pleads to the charges.
Turner had been accused of rape by two other teenage girls. Sarah Ford is a lawyer with the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network who represents the victims and their families. The case against Turner was dropped because of the death of the second teen. According to her family, prosecutors told them that the encounter was not consensual because the man was dead.
Turner had a history of bond violations and was represented by a state senator. He was out on bond when he was accused of raping a woman. While on house arrest in Bess's case, he was found to have violated his bond order dozens of times, visiting golf courses, restaurants, malls, and once traveled out of state to a car dealership in Georgia. A request for his bond to be revoked was voided when he struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
The parents of Bess said in a statement that they were grateful for a measure of justice in their daughter's case, but that they were sad that it took so long to happen.
Turner was given favorable treatment because of Hutto's involvement.
"Although what happened to our daughter, the attack, the bully, the failures of a system meant to protect citizens is bad enough, these abuses of power, must be recognized and as a family, we are committed along with others involved to bring light into what otherwise is a very dark circumstance
The 2nd Circuit Solicitor Bill Weeks has been petitioned to reopen the case. Tabatabai said that her family was looking forward to hearing from Weeks soon.
Tabatabai was surprised by the revocation of Turner's parole.
She said that the system has worked for her and not the victims. This is a small step towards justice for our girls, and I am very optimistic that we will see more.
Both Bess's and Stoller's families pointed to the way their cases were handled as an example of how the justice system works against sexual assault victims.
Ford said that today was a step in the right direction. The victims have been through a lot over the last few years.
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