State v. Thompson

TOAL, Justice:

Petitioner Gary Reece Thompson, Jr. was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and sentenced to thirty years in prison. On appeal, Thompson challenges the trial court’s ruling allowing the prosecution to use, for impeachment purposes, statements Thompson made to a psychiatrist in the course of plea negotiations. In an unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s ruling. State v. Thompson, Op. No. 96-UP-132 (S.C.Ct.App. filed April 30,1996). We reverse and remand.

Factual/Procedural Background

Gary Reece Thompson, Jr. was indicted for…