Riley Benson
WCBD
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Past articles by Riley:
Sen. Kimpson to resign from SC Senate, joining Biden’s administration
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – South Carolina Senator Marlon Kimpson announced Sunday that will resign at the end of the legislative session, nearly a year early, to take a job on President Joe Biden’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Kimpson was one of 14 appointees to the committee. News 2 spoke with Kimpson […] → Read More
Prosecutor John Meadors speaks for first time since Murdaugh murder trial
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A key member of the team that successfully tried the state’s case against Alex Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and son is reflecting on the whirlwind trial. John Meadors, a veteran prosecutor specializing in murder trials, was brought on by Attorney General Alan Wilson just weeks before the trial. […] → Read More
Alex Murdaugh could take stand in double murder trial: sources
WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – A source close to Alex Murdaugh’s defense team told News 2 on Monday that Alex is expected to take the stand and testify. Murdaugh has long maintained his innocence in the deaths of his wife Margaret and son Paul which happened at their family’s Colleton County property in June 2021. His […] → Read More
SC Rep. Marvin Pendarvis considering run for Mayor of N. Chas.
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – State Representative Marvin Pendarvis says he’s strongly considering a run for Mayor in the City of North Charleston later this year. Rep. Pendarvis has represented portions of Charleston County in House District 113 since being elected to the seat in November of 2017. Rep. Pendarvis, a native of North Charleston, […] → Read More
Murdaugh due in court Friday, judge set to hear evidence motions
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Disbarred Attorney and accused murderer Alex Murdaugh and state prosecutors are due in court Friday morning for a pre-trial hearing leading up to Murdaugh’s scheduled murder trial next month. In the last week, Murdaugh’s defense filed two separate motions claiming state investigators and hired consultants have made key evidence impossible […] → Read More
Jury set to begin deliberation in Laffitte federal trial
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – After nearly two weeks of witness testimony and review of evidence, jurors will begin their deliberation in the federal charges against ex-Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte Tuesday morning. Laffitte faces six federal indictments tied to financial crimes and schemes allegedly carried out with accused murderer and disbarred Attorney Alex Murdaugh. […] → Read More
Laffitte set to take the stand Friday in federal trial
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Russell Laffitte, an alleged accomplice of Alex Murdaugh, is expected to defend himself in court Friday as part of his ongoing federal trial. Laffitte faces several federal charges for financial crimes connected to Murdaugh. Twenty-two people — 15 for the federal government and seven for the defense — have testified since […] → Read More
Murdaugh, Laffitte families testify in day six of Laffitte trial
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Russell Laffitte’s older brother Charles Laffitte III and their dad Charles Laffitte Jr. took the stand as part of Laffitte’s defense in his federal trial. Alex Murdaugh’s brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, also took the stand as part of Laffitte’s defense. Other witnesses taking the stand Wednesday included employees from Palmetto State […] → Read More
Victims, FBI agent testify in Laffitte trial day 5
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Tuesday’s hearings in the federal trial against Ex-Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte continued with testimony from several witnesses called by the federal government. Among those who took the stand were alleged victims Natasha Thomas and Arthur Badger, an employee with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Palmetto State Bank’s Deputy […] → Read More
Day 2 of Laffitte trial provides new insight into alleged crimes
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Former Palmetto Bank CEO Russel Laffitte, an alleged accomplice of disbarred attorney and accused murderer Alex Murdaugh, appeared in Federal Court Wednesday for the second day of his trial. Laffitte was charged with five federal indictments tied to various financial crimes he allegedly carried out with Murdaugh over a period of […] → Read More
IOP City Council reviews short-term rental listening session results
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Isle of Palms City Council is weighing whether or not caps are needed on short-term rentals and if so, how to regulate them across the island. The discussion comes after the city hosted three community listening sessions in September. Results from the three listening sessions show a divide among […] → Read More
CCSD trustees discuss school safety after fatal St. Louis high school shooting
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – School safety is front of mind for Charleston Count School district leaders after learning of a St. Louis high school shooting Monday afternoon. District leaders say it’s time to adopt more precautions before it’s too late. During a Board of Education meeting Monday, some district leaders voiced they want to see […] → Read More
Charleston City Council discusses need for Johns Island Councilmember
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston city leaders are discussing giving Johns Island more representation on City Council. Councilmembers expressed mixed opinions on redistricting during a council workshop Tuesday, while residents say change is needed. City officials say explosive growth seen on Daniel Island and Johns Island has created the need for change in the city […] → Read More
Hurricane Ian cleanup on-going, bringing communities together
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – The aftermath and clean up from Hurricane Ian is still going on across South Carolina as crews work to remove debris from neighborhoods in the area. The clean up is bringing people together to help out. The downed trees remaining, not among the hundreds of downed trees already removed by […] → Read More
S.C. Education leaders: Bus driver training process ‘intensive, safe’
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – State education leaders say training policies for school bus drivers in the state are rigorous and thorough and have confidence they are safe for the students in need of a ride. School districts have said the long training makes finding drivers difficult. Extensive training hours, written tests, hours of hands-on […] → Read More
CCSD board approves plan for new school on Johns Island
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – A new school is coming to Johns Island after receiving approval from Charleston County School District’s Board of Education on Monday. Construction on the school, which will be located on Swygert Landing, is expected to begin in March 2023. District leaders said the project – which is being funded through […] → Read More
Charleston Councilman says leadership responsible for deterring violent crime
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Five people are recovering after a shooting on King Street in Downtown Charleston over Labor Day weekend. Two people have been arrested following the event. City leaders say the incident highlights the need for an increased focus on deterring violent crime in the Holy City. Councilman Mike Seekings shared strong words […] → Read More
Judge orders state to turn over discovery material to Murdaugh’s defense team
COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — A judge has ordered the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office to turn over discovery evidence in their case against Alex Murdaugh to his legal team. Monday’s hearing was focused on two motions: one filed by Murdaugh’s legal team and another by state prosecutors. In the motion to compel evidence, Murdaugh’s […] → Read More
Video: Goose Creek man beaten by Arkansas law enforcement
CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS (WCBD) – A video showing a Lowcountry man being beaten by three Arkansas law enforcement officers is drawing national scrutiny. State and local leaders are calling for a thorough investigation into the officers’ actions following the video’s viral circulation. Randall Worcester is the Goose Creek man who was attacked by two Arkansas […] → Read More
Video: South Carolina man beaten by Arkansas law enforcement
Video showing a South Carolina man being beaten by three Arkansas law enforcement officers is drawing national scrutiny. → Read More