Delay to let Pittman stay in youth prison

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Delay to let Pittman stay in youth prison

BY SCHUYLER KROPF

The Post and Courier

Convicted double murderer Pittman, who turns 17 Sunday, won't be

moved to an adult prison any time soon.

A delay has been approved allowing Pittman to remain in the custody of the

Department of Juvenile Justice for up to six months while his appeal goes to

the S.C. Supreme Court.

When Pittman, or any other youthful offender convicted of an adult crime

turns 17, he is considered eligible to be housed with the adult population

inside the S.C. Carolina Department of Corrections.

DJJ Director R. Byars Jr. said Pittman has been a model inmate in

recent months and the delay will allow him to mature a bit longer and to

continue his education.

Similar delays are given to other 17-year-old inmates facing adult

sentences, he said.

Pittman will be allowed to stay only until he turns 17 1/2, or in the event

the court rules on his appeal, Byars said.

" We applaud this decision to allow to stay where he is, " said his

lawyer, Andy Vickery, in a statement released by his Houston law office.

Pittman's attorneys are challenging the 30-year sentence handed down last

year by a ton County jury in the shotgun slayings of his elderly

grandparents. Joe and Joy Pittman were killed as they slept in their Chester

County home in November 2001. The boy was 12 at the time.

He blamed the attack on hallucinations caused by his prescription for the

anti-depressant Zoloft. Prosecutors said the killings were execution-style

shootings done in retaliation for the couple's discipline.

The high court agreed to hear Pittman's appeal, bypassing the S.C. Court of

Appeals.

The expedited move is allowed under court rules when a case " involves an

issue of significant public interest or a legal principle of major

importance. "

A timetable of when the case will be argued has not been announced.

Vickery has argued Pittman never should have been tried as an adult, and

that South Carolina law presumes someone under age 14 does not have the

capacity to form criminal intent.

He called the case " a cascade of errors " and claims Pittman was subjected to

unconstitutional punishment.

Pittman lives in a isolated wing at DJJ. He has been there since he was 12.

Contact Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@....