Columbia, S.C.: Trial Continues for Mass Shooting at Columbiana Centre Mall
It’s been two and a half years since a horrific mass shooting shattered the sense of safety at the Columbiana Centre Mall in Columbia, South Carolina. Now, the memories and scars of that day have resurfaced at the trial of Jewayne Price, one of the defendants linked to the chaotic events of Easter weekend 2021. Price, a 24-year-old, is one of three individuals facing charges related to the shooting that left over a dozen people injured, with nine suffering gunshot wounds.
Testimonies Bring Forward Lingering Trauma
Victims from that fateful day are recounting their experiences, revealing just how deeply the incident has affected their lives. One brave victim shared her struggle with lingering digestive issues resulting from her injuries, which demanded multiple surgeries. Her story, like many others, highlights the profound impact of a moment that changed their lives forever.
A particularly heart-wrenching testimony came from a 16-year-old girl caught in the line of fire. After being shot in the back, she had the harrowing experience of contacting her father, unsure if she would survive. “I called him and I said that I got shot, and I asked him if I was going to die,” she recalled, fighting back tears. “Then the line went dead. I’m not sure how.” Her courage to speak out underscores the emotional toll that the shooting has taken on her and countless others.
Arguments of Self-Defense
During the trial, Price’s defense team has been adamant in framing his actions as self-defense. At a pre-trial hearing, he argued that he felt threatened by his co-defendants, Amari Smith and Marquise Robinson, which led him to fire his weapon amid the crowded mall. According to Price, he acted out of fear for his life, which is a key point in South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law.
However, the presiding Circuit Court Judge, Walton McLeod, has not been swayed by this argument. He has allowed the trial to proceed into its second week, with a focus on the details of the shooting incident.
Evidence and Expert Testimonies
Tuesday saw the courtroom filled with the harrowing details and expert analysis of the incident. A crime scene reconstruction expert from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was brought in to review the mall’s surveillance footage. The evidence compiled so far suggests that Price was indeed the aggressor in the shootout. “You actually see him step towards Robinson?” Solicitor Rick Hubbard asked during the proceedings. The response confirmed that Price had his firearm drawn and was directing it towards Robinson – a crucial piece of evidence.
The prosecution claims that Price’s bullets injured at least three bystanders, and under the principle of mutual combat, they argue that all three defendants share responsibility for the injuries sustained by the nine gunshot victims on that day.
The Defense’s Standpoint
In response to the prosecution’s claims, Price’s attorneys made passionate appeals to the jury, pushing the self-defense narrative. They emphasized that Price had not completely turned away from the individuals he believed were trying to harm him, suggesting a heightened sense of self-preservation. Their arguments aimed to shift the perspective from aggression to survival in a moment of extreme danger.
What’s Next?
As of Tuesday, the prosecution rested its case, leaving the defense without any witnesses to call. Closing arguments from both sides are expected to take place on Thursday morning, an important moment that will set the stage for the jury’s deliberation.
It’s worth noting that Smith and Robinson, the other two defendants, await their own trials after Price’s case concludes. All three men are facing attempted murder charges, and as the legal proceedings unfold, the impact of that tragic day continues to ripple through the community, reminding everyone of the need for safety and justice.
