Why would you think I am trying to fool myself? I don’t care if he is imprisoned or he isn’t. I just know how the system works. Don’t be surprised by a verdict of negligent homicide. You amateur prosecutors are always cock sure who is going to found guilty and who isn’t. Until the trial starts that is. There are a lot of other factors here. There will probably be a special prosecutor and who knows what he will do. First degree murder without a motive is always a bit of trouble even for a prosecutor who is committed to the task. You see, South Carolina like most every other state requires malice before the crime. So, if he is a hate filled racist with nooses hanging in his garage, maybe it will be easy. But, if he a boy scout which most cops look like on paper, then good luck.
Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;
and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both;
and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.