York County, South Carolina, October 10, 2025
News Summary
In a heartfelt news conference at the Moss Justice Center in York County, family members of murder victims and prosecutors united to call for vital judicial reforms. They emphasized systemic failures within the judicial and mental health systems that jeopardize public safety. Stephen Federico, who lost his daughter to a violent crime, alongside others, highlighted the urgent need for policy changes to prevent future tragedies. Attendees, including prosecutors, criticized the current judicial selection process and underscored the necessity for better management of violent offenders with mental health issues.
York County, South Carolina – Family members of murder victims, alongside prosecutors, held a news conference at the Moss Justice Center to advocate for judicial reform and changes in the management of violent offenders. The emotional event brought attention to systemic failures in the judicial and mental health systems that have left families devastated.
Among the attendees was Stephen Federico, who lost his daughter, Logan, in May to a murder committed by Alexander Dickey, a man with a significant history of violent crimes. Federico expressed his profound disappointment with the judicial system, indicating that it failed not only to protect his daughter but ultimately took her life. Since testifying before Congress in September regarding the need for systemic change, he has emerged as a vocal supporter of judicial reform.
Renea Barber also shared her tragic experience, discussing the murder of her husband and brother in 2019, who were killed during a psychotic episode by Jimar Neely, later found not guilty by reason of insanity. Barber stressed the urgent need for reforms in mental health management to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Lori Williams participated by recounting the loss of her brother, retired police lieutenant Larry Vaughan, in 2021, further emphasizing the need for drastic changes in how the judicial system handles cases involving potentially dangerous individuals with mental health issues.
Prosecutors at the conference emphasized the critical need for mental health system reforms. They pointed out that current laws permit dangerous individuals to re-enter communities after being treated inadequately, raising alarms about public safety. South Carolina’s judicial selection process, where lawyer/legislators have a hand in electing judges, was also met with scrutiny. This method raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest when evaluating a judge’s suitability for handling sensitive abuse cases. Notably, South Carolina along with Virginia stands out as the only states where state lawmakers are responsible for electing judges, a process which has been criticized as problematic.
Both Federico and the prosecutors voiced a consensus on the urgent need for reevaluating both how judges are selected and how mental health issues are managed within the justice system. Attendees called on the public to push for changes through state legislators, reflecting a collective determination to address what they view as symptomatic of broader public safety problems within South Carolina.
Federico’s passionate calls for reform have emerged as a significant awareness campaign regarding the inadequacies in the judicial system. This situation has prompted a broader discussion across various community frameworks about protecting citizens from violent offenders, especially those with mental health challenges. The sentiment was echoed by prosecutors, who acknowledged failures by law enforcement and the judicial system in protecting Federico’s daughter, a sentiment shared among affected families.
Context of the Situation
The issues highlighted during the news conference embody systemic problems within the judicial and mental health systems in South Carolina. As families demand reforms, the event has brought public attention to the need for immediate and effective changes. With the backdrop of increasing violence and mental health crises, there exists a pressing urgency to collectively address these challenges facing the justice system in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event took place in York County, South Carolina?
Family members of murder victims and prosecutors held a news conference to call for judicial reform and changes in handling violent offenders.
Who were the attendees at the news conference?
Attendees included Stephen Federico, whose daughter Logan was killed in May, and prosecutors Kevin Brackett and David Pascoe.
What was Stephen Federico’s message regarding the judicial system?
Federico indicated that “the system that was supposed to protect her also took her life,” highlighting perceived failures in the judicial system.
What do attendees believe needs reform?
Prosecutors highlighted the urgent need for mental health system reforms and emphasized that current laws allow dangerous individuals to be released back into communities.
What criticism was made regarding the judicial selection process in South Carolina?
Pascoe criticized the process, stating it allows lawyer/legislators to screen and elect judges, creating conflicts of interest.
What common goal did the families and prosecutors express?
Both groups expressed a consensus on needing to make changes in how judges are selected and how mental health issues are managed within the legal system.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: South Carolina Justice Reform and Mental Health
- WBTV: Families Demand Judicial and Mental Health Reform
- Count On 2: Push for Judicial Reform After Daughter’s Murder
- Herald Online: Family Calls for Reform After Murders
- WISTV: Solicitors Call for Judicial and Mental Health Reform
- Wikipedia: Criminal Justice Reform
- Google Search: Judicial System Reform South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Judicial Reform Mental Health South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Justice Reform
- Google News: South Carolina Judicial Reform
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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