Key Takeaways
- Jennifer Foley advocates to reopen her brother Scott Spivey's death investigation, disputing "Stand Your Ground."
- Police misconduct, including altered evidence and coaching, emerged in the Horry County case.
- Despite new evidence, the Attorney General upheld the "Stand Your Ground" classification.
- "Stand Your Ground" laws are linked to hundreds of additional annual gun homicides.
- Foley is pursuing a civil wrongful death lawsuit for justice for Scott Spivey.
Deep Dive
- Jennifer Foley's investigation uncovered 90 phone calls from Weldon Boyd, suggesting police corruption.
- Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland retired after an internal investigation linked him to Boyd's communications.
- Sergeant Damon Viscovy was seen on bodycam footage writing "Act Like a Victim" on a notepad for Boyd and Williams.
- Sergeant Paul Damon Viscovy was terminated on April 30th, 2025, after LunaShark Media discovered the "Act Like a Victim" note.
- An investigation revealed mislabeled and missing body camera footage, with officers instructed to turn off cameras from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Renewed scrutiny, fueled by Weldon Boyd's audio recordings, led to a state-level investigation into Horry County Police Department misconduct.
- Public sentiment shifted, with Weldon Boyd defending his actions on Facebook against "lies and conspiracy."
- Jennifer Foley addressed the Horry County Council, presenting Weldon Boyd's phone calls and urging an independent prosecutor from the governor.
- State legislator Lucas Atkinson stated his belief that the incident was not "Stand Your Ground" but potentially murder.
- Nine state legislators, including Atkinson, wrote to Governor Henry McMaster, requesting the Scott Spivey case be reopened.
- Governor Henry McMaster, involved in the 2006 "Stand Your Ground" law, acknowledged questions of injustice but stated reopening the case is the Attorney General's role.
- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson reaffirmed in August 2024 that the Scott Spivey case was a "Stand Your Ground" incident.
- Jennifer Foley learned Wilson's office had not reviewed Weldon Boyd's phone calls, which she considered new evidence.
- Attorney General Alan Wilson defended his "Stand Your Ground" classification, prioritizing Weldon Boyd's state of mind during 911 calls over other evidence.
- Reporter Valerie Bauerlein presented witness accounts of erratic driving and a gun being waved, questioning Wilson's interpretation.
- Wilson stated Boyd had a legal right to be present and could perform a citizen's arrest.
- Valerie Bauerlein challenged Attorney General Wilson on police misconduct allegations, including officer coaching and evidence manipulation.
- Wilson maintained that police misconduct is irrelevant to determining "Stand Your Ground" status.
- Jennifer Foley worries Wilson's interpretation could lead to uninvestigated homicides, despite his assertion of a dispassionate decision.
- "Stand Your Ground" laws have been invoked in cases like Carson Senfield's Florida shooting and Walter Tribolo's Kentucky death.
- Research indicates an estimated 700 additional gun homicides annually in states with these laws.
- Approximately 2 million Americans are reportedly enrolled in "murder insurance" covering self-defense legal expenses.
- Jennifer Foley is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, seeking a ruling against "Stand Your Ground" immunity for Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams.
- Defense attorneys argue the case conclusively points to "Stand Your Ground" and seek immunity for their clients.
- Foley still seeks to understand her brother Scott Spivey's actions on September 9th, noting the initial cause of events remains unknown.
- She states she cannot grieve while constantly fighting for justice and due process.