Posted by lemonhead on July 20, 2008 at 4:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wellll maybe the victims of the person that he killed should sue them,they wouldnt like that would they.... amazing when someone does something wrong then they get something wrong done to them they want to sue

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 20, 2008 at 4:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They call it the Department of Corrections? What do they correct? I guess our state government is so poorly mismanaged and broke from over spending that it can't afford to change the name. Isn't the state operating in the red again?

Anywho, pretty pathetic that a person in prison can even be murdered. Sounds like there is more of a probability of such based on the stories I have read in the past - than there is on the street.

Posted by suec on July 20, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

boo freakin hoo

A killer gets killed.

Posted by ColdBeer on July 20, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He's a murderer. Who cares? I'm glad my tax payer dollars no longer support this man's life.

Sounds like mom and dad were negligent when they raised him.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 20, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CB in holding parents responsible for the actions of 18yr old children, you seem to discount something called free will.

Even though my husband & I have worked hard & sacrificed much to teach our children, mostly by example, the right way to live, I do not feel I have a right to "take credit" for the good choices & accomplishments of my children (especially as they get older) & I certainly will not be to blame if they decide to do something contrary to everything they were taught & saw lived out as we raised them.

I am happy & grateful--it gives me a great sense of peace-that they, so far, have adopted & demonstrated good values (good work ethic,honesty, compassion, loyalty, discipline, respect for others & authority etc.) & applied them to how they conduct their lives.

But, I cannot take credit for their good decisions & choices. Ultimately, they were the ones to make those decisions & choices.

Although their free will was somewhat restrained, as needed, when they were younger, they are individuals in their own right & do have minds & consciences of their own.

Posted by dbeast420 on July 20, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a former CO,I've grown to have no compassion for anyone that winds up "behind the fence".

Mama and Daddy should have raised him better but,oh well.

Posted by SomeTruthPlease on July 20, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dbeast420, your comment is appalling. Did you decide to have a lack of compassion for others while you were serving as a Corrections officer, or did you end up in that line of work because you have a self-satisfying need to abuse others that have made bad decisions, and are facing their repercussions? Mommy and Daddy should have raised them better? There are a multitude of reasons why our children do the things that they do, but for you to insist that someone's actions are a result of their upbringing is sickening. This is a horrible world we are living in, and as a working parent, it was very hard to shield my sons from the peer pressure that they have had to experience. I did the best that I could, and that reflects in two out of three of my boys. One in the Navy, one still in school, and one that has had one run-in after another with the law. I have reasoned with him, tried counseling services, threatened one drug-dealing friend after another to stay away from him...where did I go wrong? I have to admit that I haven't always done what's right, but I refuse to shoulder every bit of the blame for his outcome. I love him, am allowing him to still live with me, still take care of him as if he's still 12 or 13...should've done better? I don't think I could try any harder.

Posted by SomeTruthPlease on July 20, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Abitskeptical, I applaud your comment. Thank you.

Posted by ThinkAboutThis on July 20, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

She is entitled to sue and should so -- there is no reason or excuse a correctional facility should be so out of control to have it's prisoners treated as such!

Posted by ThinkAboutThis on July 20, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a former CO........

Thank God, former, you don't deseve to be a CO with that attitude,IMO and are part of the problem!!!

Posted by JohnS on July 20, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's common for the inmates family to have to send several $25.00 payments to other inmates accounts weekly. This is to make sure your love one is taking care of inside. When the money stops bad things happen. Very young inmates are prime targets.

Posted by idennis on July 20, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When you are convicted of a crime you have the right, yes the right to serve your time. The prison system in this state is one of the worse run systems anywhere. People who are convictd of a DUI are placed in cells with people convicted of killing another.

This story is another of many that tell the same story. People wonder why when a man finishes his sentance he has trouble in the outside world... Go visit one of SC fine prisons, it won't take you but a few minutes to understand why.

As for most of the comments above... ignorance is the reason for them...

Posted by oldglory on July 20, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

abitskeptical - Very intelligent feedback. Maybe you didn't make their choices, but you are there.

SomeTruth - It's obvious that you are a good mother and there for your children, too.

Mothers/fathers instinctively do the best they can for their children, trying to ensure that they survive. A lot is dependent on the very nature of an individual child. For some it's a picnic; others have to struggle. Just keep on trying all of you parents out there. Don't give up.

Before some of you cynics show up - Those parents who are not there for their children were never parents and never will be. These children have very bad lives. Doesn't really matter who is at fault; these children pay the price.

Posted by moonpie on July 20, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow that is scary if the extortion thing is true.

abitskeptical I would disagree some what with your comment that you can't take credit for your childrens successes. You obviously put in the time and effort to instruct them in their daily lives regarding what is right and wrong, making good choices, etc. Like planting flowers, you can just throw them in the dirt and let them be OR you can feed, water and nurture them to full bloom. Then enjoy the outcome. Appears this is what your doing now but do give yourself some credit. I agree with the blame thing too, some kids no matter what will go astray.

Posted by dianed43 on July 20, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ignorance is definetly the reason for them. this boy made a mistake. he was there when the murder accurred. he did not committ the murder. he was given a 20 year sentence not the death sentence. for all of those that comment about the parents not doing a good job, your comments are shameful. we all do the best that we can. as individuals we all make mistakes, some worse then others....that does not mean this young man deserved to die. what's worse is that the person or people involved have gotten away with it. my heart goes out to larry and alice walker...this was their child. to the former CO, your coments don't even justify a response. i won't waist my time. this story breaks my heart, for i know what they are feeling, james belli is my son. he did not deserve to die either.

Posted by ThinkAboutThis on July 20, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When you are convicted of a crime you have the right, yes the right to serve your time. The prison system in this state is one of the worse run systems anywhere. People who are convictd of a DUI are placed in cells with people convicted of killing another.

This story is another of many that tell the same story. People wonder why when a man finishes his sentance he has trouble in the outside world... Go visit one of SC fine prisons, it won't take you but a few minutes to understand why.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And where the sent/will send the Wando TEENS, who will then come out to live in our community in 5- 8.5 yrs, but not real rapist, murderers, repeat offenders!

Posted by dianed43 on July 20, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

moonpie...this extortion thing is definetly true. experienced it 1st hand. the prison system needs to change a lot of things one of them being the way inmates canteens are handled. inmates work in the store at the prisons. they have knowledge and access to other inmates accounts. this allows others to know who to target. i sent my son money weekly because i love him...it should not have cost him his life. they need to look into change otherwise this will continue to happen.

Posted by Siri on July 20, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry he's dead, but him being a dumbazz is what got him there in the first place. The lesson to be learned here is DON'T COMMIT CRIME!

Posted by hartley8184 on July 20, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The story references the fact that men with guns showed up at Danny's parents' house. And mentions that it's possible the extortionists had help on the outside. Well, perhaps not in this case, but it shows how a victims' family might find some means of revenge on a prisoner if they know the right people. This shows how well the government runs a penal system. This kind of stuff wouldn't be going on if America had prisons run by a real live justice system... instead of a lollipop store. The guys inside them are CRIMINALS. That's why they keep doing bad things even inside. It's not like in the movies, where all the inmates are bright articulate nice guys who just wound up in prison because they got "unlucky" in life, or they robbed a store because mom needed a new wooden leg.

The fact that convicts were calling the parents and demanding money should have been enough to get them solitary for about 5 years and no further phone privileges. Maybe the prison could hire a multimillion- dollar consulting supergenius to come up with an amazing solution that wouldn't occur to just anybody: Monitor all phone calls and get the identity of every caller all the time.

And you people know how well the government runs prisons and a school system... now you want to give them health care too? hahaha if so, you deserve what you get.

Posted by drp7773 on July 20, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

After its all said and done, the prisoners run the prisons this is a fact and its wrong. Yes I was a guard for awhile and left the system due to a lack of confidence in the system. I was locked in the building with up to 98 inmates and the only way out was when the guards on the outside came around and unlocked the door. The inmates have drugs, weapons, plans, gangs etc. and all you have as a guard is a pen to write them up, and the joke with this is if you forget to cross a T or dot an I the report can be thrown out. Going to prison is the right thing for these scums, but to hand them over these expensive institutions and give them the right to rape, murder, take drugs at well and none of this is new. Major changes need to be made so yes the ones that are in there for dui or writing bad checks should not be in with rapist and murders and never should rapes and the such be able to take place. 1 gaurd in charge of 98 inmates is so wrong in so many areas and remember there are innocent people in prison yes few and far between but still their lives are on the line as soon as the front door closes behind you.

Posted by RTC on July 20, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dianed43, I have read the story about your son. He was incarcerated for property crimes, correct? He never harmed another person from what has been told. I understand that they had your son handcuffed to the bed when he was slipping away from you.
I can never understand why he was treated this way. He could never have escaped or harmed anyone.
I wish you luck in your suit, but I know that no amount of money will bring your son back to you or take away your pain.
James was sentenced to be punished for his crimes; he was not sentenced to die at the hands of another inmate.

Posted by ThinkAboutThis on July 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this extortion thing is definetly true.......................the general public is so naive when it comes to the priosn system- many believe they get 3 hots, a cot, and life is good.....far from it being good......it's a matter of survival, etc.

Many think they "deserve it" or being "tough" on crime will make a difference......... in the case of young, first time offenders it usually just makes bitter, experienced, hardened criminals who get dumped back on us......all f&*#ed up in the head and all.........

Posted by dianed43 on July 20, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

RTC....james was in for an 8 year sentence for property crimes. he was charged for burglary. he never hurt anyone (physically). he was housed in the worst wing of the prison with convicted murderers. he was threatened and extorted in his short stay there (april - aug). much of that was spent in protective custody because of what he endured. prison officials were aware of the threats and extortion. he was placed in protective custody and made numerous requests for transfers. he was put back into the same wing with those that threatened and extorted him. they ultimately were the ones who killed him. although we beieve more then one individual was involved only one has been charged so far. for all of you out there that are going to say i should have done a better job parenting and if he diddn't committ the crime it would have never happened, spare me. he was 17 when he made mistakes. he was truley remorseful and just wanted to serve his sentence, get his ged and start new. even prosecutors that prosecuted his case were mortified at his placement and his murder. this will not be that last you hear of james and his murder, i intend to see this to the end and intend to see that changes are implimented in the system so that this does not continue to happen to others.

Posted by dianed43 on July 20, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

larry and alice....keep the faith and stay strong. great article. we need to make change. nothing is going to bring our boys back but we need to be a voice. don't let all of these ignorant people making these comments about you and danny bring you down. i continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. diane

Posted by abitskeptical on July 20, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

moonpie, it is hard to take credit for something that seemed to be innate.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant with our first child I "knew" this gift & blessing carried w/ it a profound responsibility. This "knowledge" seemed to be woven into my soul. There was no other way.

In fact, that responsibility began the moment my husband & I decided we wanted children. It became my responsibility to prepare my body to "grow a baby" with every advantage over which I had control (proper diet, avoiding potential fetal toxins etc.)

I'll take some credit for those many times when I didn't "feel" like being a parent..those times when it would have been SO much easier to look the other way, give in, change a given punishment to make things easier on myself, be less demanding & lower expected standards, etc...but instead chose consistency, personal sacrifice etc. But I cannot take all credit for my ability to do those things.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 20, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ThinkAboutThis,

I agree.

Posted by ChrisPia on July 20, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No Matter What the Inmate is charged with they don't desrve to Die(unless Court Ordered and administered by the court).
The system is understaffed.This is a big safety issue for the Officers as well as the inmates.Correction Officers and Police officers are supposed to remain Professional at All Times.Treat People(inmates) with respect as Humans.(as if they were your own family).Be Fair Firm And Consistant.
Every Inmate is someones child.....or could possibly be your child one day.
BE PROFESSIONAL!
My condolances Go Out to Both Families.Diane,I hope you can Make the Needed Changes to Correct these problems so that another family does not have to endure what Y'all are going through. Keep the Faith.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 20, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

idennis,

The SC Department of Corrections has had lengthy Federal oversight before because of very poor management. Somethings just change on the surface. Some people just make poor leaders and supervisors.

SCDC has a long history of management problems and a high turn over rate of employees. Several other state agencies, like the Department of Social Services, experience the same. DSS is about the worst of them all. There are just not enough good law abiding citizens to go around. Maybe it's because we have 1000 times more laws on the books than we did 10 years ago.

Basically speaking, our idiotic lawmakers have just about criminalized everything. If you are a human, you are even a criminal. However, the legislators give themselves immunity from anything just because they can under the power we gave them to do the same.

Posted by preachlove on July 20, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

daine43 - My condolences to you and your family. Good luck with your lawsuit. Sometimes they are good thing, because they force corrupt and incompetent entities to change.

Posted by hartley8184 on July 20, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only thing the lawsuit will accomplish is to punish the taxpayers for government incompetence. The government doesn't CARE about the prison problems, because VOTERS don't care about the prison problems. The government doesn't care because your pockets are bottomless. POLITICS runs the prisons. Politicians pay attention to what is popular. Not to efficiency and silly notions of fixing systemic problems. The prison staffs are helpless, and probably delusional themselves in the same way that American educrats are delusional about their institution.

America is screwed up. A cultureless vacuum unable to define any common ground, unable to agree on even the most elemental of principles. The so-called "religious folk" are split into a thousand different superstitious factions. The secularist politicians buy votes with taxpayer money. Nothing is going to change in this country until it becomes submerged in barbarism and then restored by some new "empire" with vitality and definitive structure. Right now we are in the Dark Ages with electricity.

Posted by Siri on July 20, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dianed43 - I am sorry your son is dead. Do I think he deserved to die? NO! Definitely not! Do I think the SC penal system needs a serious overhaul? YES!

A conscience thought to commit buglary is a lot more than a "mistake". The young age of 17 is plenty old enough to know better, than to commit crime.

Posted by dianed43 on July 20, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Siri, my son was 17 years old when he committed his crime. my point was that he did not realize the consiquences. to do it over again, he would not.....i had many convarsations with james when i visited him every weekend...he was one that was truley sorry for his crime. he never said that he didn't deserve to be sentenced. he would say to me, "mom i messed up bad", "i should have listened to you", please tell the victims i'm sorry", "i want to DO MY TIME and come home". james had documented medical issues and was hospitalized 1 year prior for mental disorders. some of his diagnosis were ones that showed he was impulsive, heard voices and was not always in control of his actions. no one knows the heart of james and the kind of person he was deep inside. since james' death i have had SCDC employees contact me to say what a "Good person" he was. he befriended many employees which have since transferred or left their jobs due to what they witnessed and what happened to james. when employees leave a job because they know what they have seen is wrong......changes need to be made.

Posted by cpienciak on July 20, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Until you've expierenced this first hand you have know idea how bad the SC prison system truly is. As my sister said James was sincerely sorry for the crime he commited and just wanted to do his time and come home to make a FRESH start. Unfortunately he was never given the chance. SCDC failed him in all ways. Prisoners have rights too. He was put in with violent offenders and was victimized the whole time he was there. Changes need to be made fast before another family has to deal with such a tragic death. James would have been 21 on July 22, but it's another day that my sister and our families will mourn for him. The pain does not go away.

Posted by cpienciak on July 20, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oneday if a loved one in your family is in the same situation as MY GRANDSON was I'm sure your attitude would be different. He was a loving grandson and did not deserve to be murdered. Just thinking of what he went through ripes my heart apart. So pray that nothing happens to your family, because you don't know what we are going through. I MISS YOU JAMES!!!!!! lOVE GRANDMA EILEEN

Posted by idennis on July 20, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dbeast... good name for an ex CO... Thank God your and ex CO

BUt thank you for proving my point..

Posted by idennis on July 21, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Thomas1776 for your response. I have been to Lieber and am going this friday... It's the most dehumanizing (for everyone, not just the inmates) I have ever been to in my life.. even Viet Nam wasn't that bad. Those who post the ignorant post on here are just that, ignorant to the ways prison is run in this state. Not trying to be racial in the least but if you are sentenced and you are a young black male it's like going to camp... they are the majority and wheel and deal like they are still on the outside. If you are white, especially old and white you are in a very small majority... THey say there is rehabilitation.. there isnt any at all unless you need a GED. Lack of trained competent personel, lack of leadership especially the wardens who change rules even for the visitore and walk around like they are the ruling king when they are a major part of the problem. ie.,at visitation a month or so back the over priced vending machines were dispensing $3.00 sandwiches with mold on the bread and the meat. The wardens offices response was.. "you'll have to take that up with the vending co."... It's a damn sad state we pay our taxes in that allows this kind of "don't give a crap" attitudes to the families of inmates who are there to support and reassure those men some one cares.

Sorry I didnt mean to go off like that but it just erks me to no end when they have these things happen but the thing they are most proud of is feeding an inmate for $1.12 a day.

Last point for those of the ignorant lean... THey do not have to do a damn thing in prison.. ie three balanced meals etc...
Thanks for listening
idennis

Posted by Cid95 on July 21, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

While I don't want to coddle prisoners and I think their time served should involve "service" such as labor for the community, I agree that they should have a relative degree of safey in prison. We can never guarantee safety, but we can have prisons where the staff are in control.

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

idennis...when i visited my son james every weekend i could not believe the way we as visitors were treated as well as how i witnessed the treatment of inmates. the wardens are not the only ones that walk around like they are kings, many of the guards do to. every few weekends i would be exposed to drug sniffing dogs and searches, yet it is not secret that some of the guards are the ones supplying the contra band items..who is searching them? prison officials were made well aware of the extortion and threats my son received and did nothing about them. the result, his death. i spoke to officials my self about the situation and requested transfers. much of the staff is beyond imcpompetent. when i was visiting one day an outsider tried to bring drugs in. when they tried to detain him he ran. the CO shot HIMSELF in the face with pepper spary and warrented medical attention. it was like nothing i ever saw before. the prisons are so understaffed and those that do work there, well most don't care. it is an aweful place. federal prisons and prisons that hold POW's are run better then SCDC. these are our own children and changes need to be made!

Posted by lillycollette on July 21, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad to see some public disapproval of this extortion scheme in the prison system. However, depravation of constitutional rights and extortion with the tacit approval of the Legislature, Judiciary and the Bar Association are entrenched in our family court system and people have lost their lives there too.

I have been fighting to bring a case of fraud & extortion to justice since 2001 without any success because the perpetrators in the extortion scheme there were members of the Bar.

Best of luck to T.O. Sanders, Esquire.

Posted by cpienciak on July 21, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1: If you read the article Danny Walker was sentenced to 20 year not DEATH. Our thoughts and prayers our with the Walker family. JUSTICE FOR JAMES and DANNY

Posted by BigSargeofSC on July 21, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have no sympathy for criminals at all. I will not sheed one tear or feel the least bit of sorrow because this scum has been killed by his peers.

Having said that, I also know that correctional officers can be just as criminal as the inmates. While a correctional officer in Georgia, we were constantly seeing reports of female officers who were getting pregnant by having sex with inmates. Others were fired and then arrested for bring drugs into the prison for inmates. For these officers, no sympathy from me. You made a choice, live with it.

cpienciak, you say he was sentenced to 20 years and not death. Doesn't mean he didn't deserve death for taking another's life (and, yes, participating in anything that takes another's life is just as bad).

Posted by SCgal on July 21, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Another way the state of South Carolina comes in last on the lists!

This has got to be an embarrassment for the Governor, staff and right down the line to have such going on here!

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BigSarge, the problem isn't the few CO that get caught, its the apparently large numbers that are allowed to continue criminal activity under color of law.

It is really interesting to me that some people who take pride in their vehement railings against "all criminals" are, in fact, very inconsistent. Inconsistency breeds a lack of credibility.

Some criminal activity gets their nod of approval, apparently because they have decided that the victim "deserves" it:

Prisoners killing another prisoner--a crime, but a good crime(or,at least, an "OK" one according to some)

CO's in cahoots with this sort of thing--a crime, but a good crime (or, at least, not so bad, according to some)

The blind leading the blind.
Pots calling kettles black.

I wish I could comment "Unbelievable".
Sadly, it is all too believable.

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

my son james was not in for murder. he was in for burglary...did not deserve to die. as i said before, wanted to do his time, never said he was not wrong. he was housed with murderers. should not even have been in a level 3.

Posted by idennis on July 21, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1Volsfan1 and Big Sarge. A lot of people think like y'all do. Looking from afar makes it easy to make comments but they ARE from ignorance of the facts. There are many many families who have someone near to them who made a mistake... yes a mistake. I'm not talking about a premeditated crime. There are more laws on the books than not these days from "our" day. Don't EVER think this can't happen to me, because it can, very easily. Then it's your son who made that nonpremeditated error in his life and gets thrown in a high security facility because the system just doesnt take the time to see he's not in for murder BUT now his new cellmate is there serving most of his life for it.

One other thing, when a man is incarcerated, you and most like you think thats it and forget about them. Well my friend, contrary to your tunnel vision outlook, the majoriy of them will get out... and when they do, they have a hell of a time. Then you the taxpaying, compasionate persons like you have to deal with the problem again.

But he main point of all this is don't think you are invincable and bulletproof, this could happen to you and your family very easily.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some folks only come by compassion & wisdom the old fashioned way:

They either earn or it gets beaten into them one way or another, & usually the way is not pretty...seeing as how it usually knocks folks off of their holier than thou pedestals & onto their knees.

Blessed is he who can learn another way.

Posted by cpienciak on July 21, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1: You apparently are confused. Re-read the article and see what the charges were for both Danny Walker and my nephew James Belli. Bottom line the whole system is screwed up and nobody deserve to be treated like an animal. Why don't you go visit Leiber and see what the conditions are? Their CIVIL RIGHTS were violated, but i guess you don't know about CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS either.
idennis: Thank You!! At least you understand both sides and i hope you never have to expierence what are families are going through.

Posted by idennis on July 21, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wrong Vols fan.... lets say that pretty lil grandson of yours goes out drinking when he's at Tenn and MISTAKENLY drives. Theres a wreck, the other driver is killed. That sweet lil boy is now in prison. He is put in a cell with a man who premeditately kill another man but plea bargined down to manslaughter.

Now, he made a mistake and is trying to pay for it but the good ole system fails by placing him and you can't do a damn thing aboutit..... What do you do Vols fan, tell him sorry kid, I'll see you when you are 36??

just one case senario

Posted by idennis on July 21, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok Vols fan... make that just a DUI...
or make it writing a check without funds... POINT IS there are good men who made a mistake.... Who are trying to do their time and get back to life. Those men deserve the right to serve their time without being killed. They have no control over one minute of their lives, thats the prisons job. The three men talked about here are young and white. One of them was in Lieber with a four year sentance ith two months to go and was brutally murdered. There is no excuse for that.

And by the way, a 17 yr old or 20 yr old makes mistakes in decisions.. they all do.

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we are talking about 2 different individuals. daniel walker was at the robbery when the murder occurred. james belli was not involved in that crime. he was serving an 8 year sentence for burglary.

Posted by Lovely_One on July 21, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The three men talked about here are young and white."

And this matters because......?

Posted by cpienciak on July 21, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

number1volsfan1: Do not judge me you have no idea who i am. The reason i choose to respond to this article is that people have the right to know how screwed up the SCDC is. Our Pray and Goal is that even though we can not bring my nephew (JAMES BELLI) back the prison system will be held accountable and make changes. You don't put a 18 year old kid-1st time criminal that was in for 8 years for burglary into a level 3 prison with murders and rapist who are serving life sentences. They have nothing to lose. They run the prisons, drugs, cell phones, extortion etc. GUARDS HAVE AGREED WITH US. Criminals should be seperated into different wings depending on what crime they commited.
When you have (1) GUARD to (150) inmates no wonder why things are so screwed up.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stating that "...if Mr. Walker had not been in that situation he would still be alive today" is just another way of stating:

that Mr. Walker is to blame for his own murder,

that the sentence handed out in a court of law by a judge is merely a suggestion,

that criminal activity in a "Correctional" institution is acceptable &/or actually expected.

an acknowledgment that prison authorities not only are failing miserably in their jobs, they are criminals themselves.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

number1-you keep doing the same thing...

which is, in a round about way, accepting(which is just a step away from condoning) the criminal activity occurring, & resulting in murder, within the walls of a "correctional" facility.

By including the possibility of being murdered as a "consequence" of being in prison, you are relieving the prison officials of responsibility for their actions.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your comments conspicuously avoid addressing the point I was making, which clearly was not that the prison officials murdered the prisoner.

You keep driving home the concept of consequences & responsibility.

Baseline-I agree- folks should accept the responsibility & consequence of their behavior.

But you keep putting forth that being murdered in prison is a somewhat expected &/or acceptable consequence of being there, regardless of whether that prisoner was sentenced to death or not.

When non-death penalty prisoners are murdered & others are victims of other illegal activity such as extortion, the guards are neglecting their responsibilities.

Personally ,I think you assume too much by being so sure that the guards do not condone the murder of one prisoner by another. Perhaps they do not actually condone it. It does seem that minimally, they just do not care.

Posted by idennis on July 21, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vols fan what you say is anyone in prison deserves what ever happens the them while there, right? Good luck staying on the pedestal in that glass house of yours. This isnt the fortys, there are more that murders, rapist and theives from shantytown there now, yet less guards and no rehabilitation.

No one, no matter what, deserves to die. I hope your reality doesn't finally come to you from first hand experience.

Posted by BigSargeofSC on July 21, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People involved in the taking of another's life deserve to die. Thats "punishment fitting the crime".

idennis, you are the type that make me sick to my stomach. Excussing criminal behavior as a "mistake"? A "opps" on the path of life? Criminal behavior is not a mistake!! It's a choice a criminal makes instead of making a choice to live within the laws of this land. Driving DUI is a choice! Writting bad checks is a choice! Robbing from people's homes and cars is a criminal choice! You bleeding hearts need to wake-up and realize this fact.

CO's have a terrible job to do and most of them do the best they can with what resourses they have. They have no way win.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigSarge-your personal opinions about which punishments fit which crimes are irrelevant according to the law.

Your apparent nod of approval given to the murder of this prisoner actually reveals a profound disrespect for the system of law & justice as well as those within it who are dedicated to seeing it function in accordance to the law & not personal opinions/bias.

If my expectation of this standard makes me a "bleeding heart" then I guess I am a bleeding heart.

Sadly, it is becoming more & more clear that the truly dedicated, law abiding & honorably intentioned authorities within this system are in the minority.

Posted by chozen24 on July 21, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People make dumb comments on these boards because the issue does not hit them on their own door steps. Regardless of what this young man did, the state sentenced him to time in prison, and not DEATH! Stop the studip comments and give this mother and family respect. Her son was young and made a mistake. We all make mistakes, maybe not criminal mistakes, but we make mistakes. Justice was served when the man was sentenced and attempted to serve out his time; and I pray that justice will be served again by the SCDC being made to pay this family for the wrongful killing of this man.

Posted by cpienciak on July 21, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chozen24: Finally somebody gets it. Thank You

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cpienciak-please know more than one somebody gets it.

I got it from the beginning, as have at least a couple of other thinking souls.

Peace to you.

Posted by Siri on July 21, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IF the state {us taxpayers} pay this family, I sincerely hope the victims of their relative's crimes sue them. For restitution, pain and suffering.

I'm sorry, I don't see how we should be held liable financially for something criminals did. Lets face it, there is a real expectation of violence in prison, so live right and don't go to prison.

The family can spin this any way they want, but the truth is, had your relative not have broken the law they never would have been locked up with violent offenders.

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

siri, it has nothing to do with the family "spinning it". never said james did not break the law...but he was not a hardened crimial..17, burglary...should not have been placed in a level 3...proper placement could have spared his young life.

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to all of you who "get it" thanks.....james' mom

Posted by dianed43 on July 21, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To all you hard butts. You seem to have followed the the letter of the law since birth. I commened you. I'm surprised you haven't developed a parental program to teach all us bad parents how to rear our kids. Truth is, you have no clue what it takes, although you think you do. If you think your kids are never going to end up on the wrong side of the fence, well that's the problem. Most teens are one traffic stop away from some problem with the law- booze, pot seed, coke. This is what the parents of today have to worry about. Most times it ends with the first court day, and a couple thousand dollars, but what if it doesn't. Your hard as nails attitude is disturbing. If American soldiers are being thrown in jail for human rights violations on possible terriorists, why are we as human beings saying that if you wind up behind bars,in america, well you deserve everything you get. Did the young boy desrve to get raped? did the young girl deseve to get repeatly raped by a guard (true story, too scared to come forward) Did the young man deserve to be bound by the hands and smothered by multiple inmates? Did a young 18 year old deserve to be stabed in the neck and have 25+ pnts of blood on the floor before emergency crews arrived? I guess in your world( the hard butts who wrote in) this is ok. I bet you all even go to church every sunday and say "Thank you Jesus", say hello to the pastor , go home and start cracking open Buds. My name is Joe D and I'm the proud husband of Diane D, and proud father/step of James Belli Jr.

Posted by abitskeptical on July 21, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Siri-you can spin your opinion anyway you want, but the truth is, as you rail against crime in one instance you are accepting it in another.

If one is against crime(& most of us claim to be), it seems to me that one loses credibility when one justifies the occurrence of some crime by accepting that it is to be expected, especially when it is committed by government officials in positions of authority.
(by allowing the murder of another prisoner the guards are complicit in that murder)

Whether you like it or "approve" of it or not, we have a system of laws, as well as the Constitution(ever heard of it?) in place that dictate how prisoners & prisons are to be maintained. It supposedly is one of the things that distinguished this country from many others.

If you do not like the laws & rules guiding the running of prisons & treatment of prisoners, then lobby your representatives.

Posted by allieoop on July 22, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm DANIEL P. WALKER MOM that gives me the right to say something on this matter.Yes DANIEL was in the wrong,we have never said he was'nt.One thing ya need to know is my son never ran from his responcebility of what happen that night in Oct.03.HE trun his-self in to the cops.He stood in the courtroom Sept.20,04 got 20 years for ATTEMPED ARM ROBBERY NOT MURDER.I know ya don't know the real story,so it is really easy for ya to judge my family and me.But remember don't judge a book by it's cover.DANIEL MOM AND PROUD OF IT

Posted by cpienciak on July 22, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

allieoop: My heart breaks for you and your family. We also have broken hearts with the lose of my nephew James Belli. We understand totally what you are going through. We will stand by you and get JUSTICE FOR JAMES AND DANNY!!!

To all of you that understand the laws of the UNITED STATES
thank you!!!!!

Posted by cpienciak on July 22, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY JAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE WILL GET THEM ALL FOR YOU AND DANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by hartley8184 on July 22, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

American CULTURE worships individualism at the expense of respect and order. But how can you expect a country that has no standards for childrens' behaviour to run a prison system properly? I'm baffled. Nor can you expect any change in a culture that has no agreed upon standards for anything.

Posted by dianed43 on July 22, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to diane joey and family today is james birthday and he is still trulyl missed by my family and his friends. to daniel walkers parints i am sorry for your loss. to all the ignorance of the people who have made comments like these men deserved to die, shame on you. jesus can forgive why cant you. i hope for your sake that you or no one you love ever makes a mistake and you have to eat your words. in the meantime i still miss the son-in-law i never had and my daughter still grieves over a husband she never got and children she will never have.

Posted by bearfree on July 22, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The people on here ONLY judge because they haven't walked in your or your family's shoes. Nor have they been inside SCDC walls as an Inmate or a Correctional Officer (CO). If they have or had they wouldn't be making some of the comments, or expressing their judgements or opinions the way they are. A lot of people don't understand what its really like behind those doors once they close. A lot of the CO's are put in bad perdicuments as well. A lot of the problems do start with the director (Ozmint) and go down. I guess people on here would say a MAJOR (high ranking official) providing an Inmate (convicted of murder serving life sentence) with a shank (home made knife) to pull on a Sergeant and a Captain (two supervisor's) deserve what they got because they were CO'S? Things like that go on behind those closed doors!!! At the same prison James got killed at. So hearing this could happen to an Inmate happens I am NOT surprised because these people working there that had the shank pulled on them were innocent only reporting for work and was put in danger NOT to mention the public that was in the room next to this shank incident supporting their family members for parole. My heart does go out to your and your family for your loss!!!! Noone deserves to die like this and your family has NO reason to have to be scared or feel unsafe in your own home when you have NOT committed the crime!

Posted by dianed43 on July 22, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i know for a FACT!!!!!guards supplied cell phones, drugs, alcohol..... i KNOW. I KNOW jaquan ferrell showed up at his murder trial for the murder of my son and threatened his attorney with a prison shank!!!!! where did he get it....he was in lock down, with no exposure to anyone, but showed up with a shank the day before his trial and threatened his attorney. i know 1st hand what goes on....my son was housed in the worst wing, in one of the worst prisons and spoke to me plenty of times about what he saw. they were sadly mistaken when they thought we did not have the relationship we do and his confidence in me. for those who thought he would be afraid to talk to me...you were mistaken,

Posted by bearfree on July 23, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well maybe your attorney can make a difference in this case and what goes on behind closed doors at SCDC. IF your son requested to be moved Associate Warden Bell would have be the person to make that decision. You also may want to ask your attorney about contacting your local politicans for help. I know in different areas the Senators are trying to get Ozmint and Bob Ward out of Head Quarters at SCDC in Columbia. Maybe you could contact your local Senator as well and speak with them about what happened to your son, and what is really going on inside the institutions.

Posted by cpienciak on July 24, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All of James Belli family know the real truth and we will not go away until JUSTICE IS SERVED.

Posted by hartley8184 on July 24, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cpienciak says "we will not go away until justice is served." Well, you undoubtedly will do just that, because you have a finite life span. And, your life span is going to be much shorter than the life span of the wait for justice. Not one guard, not one warden, not one lawyer is going to go to jail for this incident. Not one. No official will be blamed. All that will happen is that the family will receive a bit of monetary compensation from those who had nothing to do with the episode. Other than that, they aren't going to get a thing. You'll only get your future silence bought and paid for... with your own money. So, be sure and hold a press conference when you "win" and tell everyone how satisfied you are that they bought you with your own, and all the taxpayers' own... money.

Posted by cpienciak on July 24, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hartley8184: Just wait and see

Posted by hartley8184 on July 25, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will wait with you cpienciak. I will wait with you for the rest of my life. And for the rest of eternity.

Posted by dianed43 on July 26, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

senators have been notified and are involved in the investigation of james' death.