Randy E. Newman, Jr., Solicitor, Sixth Judicial Circuit

06/11/2026

I will apologize in advance to my friends and colleagues, but I cannot miss a recruiting opportunity. If you are an experienced SC prosecutor and for whatever reason, you might be getting a new boss in January… I’m still hiring!

06/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2026

LANCASTER, SOUTH CAROLINA:

Patterson Found Guilty after Murder Trial

Ny’Jeri Izay Patterson, 19, of Lancaster was found guilty of Murder, Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime following a 4-day trial in Lancaster County General Sessions Court.

Shortly after 11pm on March 22, 2024, law enforcement responded to the area of Zion Rd in response to reports of a young male being found unresponsive. They located the victim, 18-year-old Stephen Carter, with 3 gunshot wounds to the back. Carter was pronounced deceased at the scene and investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Lancaster County Violent Crimes Task Force began an investigation. They discovered that the victim had been in contact with the defendant, Ny’jeri Patterson, very shortly before his death, and through digital investigation as well as witness statements, it was determined that Patterson had planned to rob Carter and that the murder resulted from that planned robbery.

The State called the case to trial on Monday, June 1, 2026. A jury was impaneled on Monday and heard testimony from several witnesses over two days. The state was able to present location mapping evidence of the defendant’s cellular device through the expert testimony of Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Matthew Snoddy. Snoddy was qualified by the Court as an expert in the field of Historical Call Record Detail Analysis.
After closing arguments, the jury began deliberating around lunchtime on Thursday, June 4, and returned guilty verdicts on the charges of Murder, Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime around 3pm that same day.

The Defendant has not been sentenced. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a date yet to be determined. Under South Carolina law, due to the defendant’s age at the time of the murder, the court is required to consider additional factors before pronouncing a sentence.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy Solicitor Melissa McGinnis and Assistant Solicitor Lance Reynolds. The Honorable Judge Robert Hood presided. Both McGinnis and Reynolds are pleased with the verdict, however, acknowledge that in cases such as these, there is no true victory. “A young man lost his life in a senseless act of violence, and now the defendant, also young man, will lose his liberty. Both families have suffered a tremendous loss.”

06/02/2026

Congratulations to former South Carolina Gamecock TJ Shook on being called up to the Majors with the Colorado Rockies!
TJ is the Nephew of our own PTI and Expungement Director Julie Small!

ANOTHER GAMECOCK IS HEADING TO THE MLB 👀

Former Gamecock RHP has been called up to the MLB by the . 🐔🤙

CONGRATULATIONS TJ! 🥹
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
🤙

05/18/2026

Our team helped this gentleman expunge his criminal record from 26 years ago. We will be glad to help you too! Contact the Solicitor’s office in the county where the charge was made.
*We will need to see a copy of your SLED criminal history.
Not all charges are eligible, but we are more than happy to help if we can!

05/16/2026

Our team is out this beautiful Saturday at the Lancaster Red Rose Festival. Come see us for free information on our diversion programs and how to clear up your criminal record.

05/13/2026

Help us welcome Keonnia Massey to our Fairfield County office. Ms. Massey started with us in March this year as Victim Services Specialist. She is a graduate of Liberty University and the University of South Carolina. Keonnia comes to us from the Eye and Laser Center. Our Victim Services Division currently employs 12 specially trained individuals serving those that have been victims of crime in our circuit.

05/08/2026

Now Hiring in the CHESTER County office!
Seeking to fill 1 Victim Services position,
1 Deputy Solicitor position and
1 Assistant/Senior Assistant Solcitor...

Victim Services Specialist:.
Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office. Contact victims, family members, and witnesses to inform them of court dates and explain court procedures. Provide support to the victim/witnesses by sharing information of services available to them through the state. Explain rights for crime victims pursuant to S.C. law; assess victim’s needs while assisting in developing plans to overcome problems, concerns, and complex situations. Prepares and accompanies witnesses and victims for all manner of court appearances, such as testimony at hearings and trials; Provides support and assistance to prosecutors during court and with victim/family/witness interviews.
Maintain detailed filings of victim/witness contact for each criminal case file and supplement computer generated Case Management System to document the progress of each case. Enter and update court docketing system and assist with the day to day duties of the office as it relates to processing and maintaining law enforcement investigative case files until disposition of the case within the office. Must possess skills to respond to general public inquiries and interact with defendants charged with crimes.
Ideal candidates possess: bachelors degree, or Associates degree with experience in field.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Education:
Bachelor (preferred)
Associate plus experience in field
Experience:
Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
Paralegal: 1 year (Preferred)
Social work: 1 year (Preferred)
Law enforcement: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Do not send a Facebook message! We won’t see it!
Send resume to:
[email protected]

05/06/2026

This week we welcomed Assistant Solicitor Peyton Swancy to our team. Peyton comes to us from the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Greenville where he also served as Assistant Solicitor. He is a Graduate of Clemson University and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He started his legal career right here in the Sixth Circuit as law clerk for the Honorable Judge Brian Gibbons. Peyton will be assigned to general prosecution in the Chester Office. Welcome to the family!

05/05/2026

On Thursday evening at MADD’s South Carolina Law Enforcement Recognition Dinner, Solicitor Newman was recognized for his efforts in DUI prosecution. MADD has been a great working partner of the Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office for many years.