State v. Ramsey

ON REHEARING

Harwell, Chief Justice:

Appellant John L. Ramsey was convicted of burning a cross on property of another and intimidation by use of an incendiary. A majority of this Court upheld his convictions in State v. Ramsey, Op. No. 23670 (S.C. Sup. Ct. filed June 13, 1992) (Davis Adv. Sh. No. 15 at 24) (Ramsey I). We granted appellant’s petition for rehearing to reconsider our prior opinion in light of the United States Supreme Court’s determination that cross burning constitutes expressive speech entitled to protection under the First Amendment. We vacate our prior opinion and reverse…