State v. Bridgers

Bridgers was indicted for violating S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-1040 (Supp. 1995) by threatening to kill Cpl. Jack Chamberlain of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. His attorney moved to quash the indictment on the ground the statute did not cover a highway patrol officer as a “public official.” The court denied the motion. The jury convicted Bridgers and he was sentenced to five years, suspended upon probation for five years, with 500 hours of community service. We reverse.

Bridgers’ automobile was involved in an accident and left the scene. Witnesses gave the license plate number to the Highway…