Suspect's bail set at $3 million

A man accused in a recent kidnapping stood stoically, arms folded and without emotion Friday in bond court as a judge set bail at $3 million and a victim's son offered forgiveness.

"Just like Jesus would do," said 17-year-old Blake Ferguson, surrounded by his family and a dozen weeping, fellow parishioners from the Cathedral of Praise on Ashley Phosphate Road. His mother, Beth Ferguson, was threatened with a knife, kicked in the face, tied to a chair and locked in a closet Tuesday at Carolina Florist when she went to pick out a corsage for Blake Ferguson's upcoming prom.

Lemar "Tommy" Mack is charged with kidnapping, armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill. Magistrate Linda Lombard set bail at $1 million for each charge. She ordered a mental health evaluation and restricted Mack, if he posts bond, from coming within a block of the North Charleston florist shop or the Ferguson family.

Beth Ferguson, 40, cried as she described for the judge the ordeal of freeing herself from the ropes with her teeth and climbing through a ceiling to safety.

"God knew that I was a fighter. That's why it happened to me," Beth Ferguson said. "I don't want what I went through to happen to anybody else."

Mount Pleasant attorney Geoffrey Waggoner said he was shocked this week to learn of the attack. Mack was convicted of kidnapping and raping Waggoner's client in 1994.

The woman, in her mid 30s, was abducted from the parking lot of the former Kmart at Rivers and McMillan avenues and raped twice. Police captured Mack the next day in Columbia and rescued the victim, he said. Mack also has been convicted of attacking women in 1979 and 1984.

Blake Ferguson rushed from the courtroom Friday afternoon to get ready for his prom. His date opted not to wear a corsage, Beth Ferguson said.

Reach Nadine Parks at nparks@postandcourier.com or 937-5573