Solicitor Scarlett Wilson announced this week that a Charleston County grand jury indicted Michael Slager in the killing of Walter Scott on April 4. Slager was originally charged with murder April 7 and later fired from his job with the North Charleston Policy Department.

Walter Scott was pulled over by Slager for a non-functioning tail light.  Scott fled from his vehicle several minutes after the stop and was pursued on foot by Slager.  A video recorded by Feigin Santana shows Scott running away from Slager, who pulled out his service weapon and fired eight shots at Scott, killing him.  Slager’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 21.

(Photo – Charleston County Sheriff’s Dept.)

There is nothing more important than the safety of our children.   A great number of families are comprised of two working parents who are reliant on child care during the day to support their professional lives. 

From all of us at Mike Kelly Law Group –   Congratulations to Brookland Academy Child Development Center for 10 years of service.  Brookland Academy is the CDC for Brookland Baptist Church, located in West Columbia, SC.  The mission of Brookland Academy is to guide children using Christian principles and to provide a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment with age appropriate programs. Jennifer McConnell is the Director of Brookland Academy and has instituted a goal of providing for the enhancement of spiritual, cognitive, emotional, physical and social development of children.  Attorneys of the Mike Kelly Law Group have children that attended, and still attend, the Academy and Mike Kelly is a long-time friend of Rev. Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr.

In sum, this is a first class facility with first class staff.  For more information about Brookland Academy and related Brookland Baptist ministries, visit http://www.brooklandbaptist.org/academy.

Attorney Tad McLeod joined a group of volunteers from the S.C. Young Lawyers Division (YLD) for the fourth annual iCivics Day on Monday, May 18^th to help teach students about civics, the U.S. Constitution and our court system.  The volunteers held iCivics classes at schools across the state    The presentations included an informational slideshow along with question and answer opportunities for the students. 

Founded and led by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinvigorating civic learning through interactive and engaging learning resources. Our educational resources empower teachers and prepare the next generation of students to become knowledgeable and engaged citizens.  A growing base of more than 70,000 educators and seven million students relies on iCivics to provide a high quality civics curriculum each year. iCivics games have been played more than ten million times by students across the country.

Tad McLeod and Bob Jackman  met with 4^th graders from Irmo Elementary School and discussed the formation of the Constitution, separation of powers, State and Federal government organization, and the court system. 

An article published by The State uncovers the terrible situation that now confronts Tommy Taylor, a resident of Gilbert.  Taylor, 59,  participated in a clinical trial for a medical device, manufactured by CVRx,  that controls the flow of blood in his carotid arteries.  The device, a neo Legacy, did not gain approval from the FDA.

Taylor now faces three options: (1) the manufacturer will bear the costs of removing the device if the procedure is performed by April 1; (2) Taylor can leave the device in his body, but the battery will likely die in less than one year; (3) Taylor can continue to replace the device every 12 to 14 months at an expense of $400,000.

View the complete article at:  http://www.thestate.com/2015/03/17/4052326_failed-medical-device-trial-leaves.html?rh=1

Dear Friends,

As many of you know my beloved wife, Anne Kelly, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of February 28, 2015. “Unexpectedly” truly cannot capture the nature of Anne’s passing. On that fateful Friday night, Anne and I were enjoying a dinner party with lifelong friends. She was smiling, laughing, and being the Anne all of us loved. Within a few hours she was lost to us. In hindsight I cannot imagine Anne wanting to depart any other way – with a great meal, good wine, and dear friends.

The hole I am experiencing is tough to articulate. I can only say that Anne is with me every minute, every day. I think this is a blessing. In 13 years of knowing Anne (10 years as a married couple) I experienced many of the happiest moments of my life. No one can take those memories away, and I intend to live and relive them for the rest of my life.

I want to reach out to the hundreds of people who sent flowers, brought food by our home, wrote me touching letters, and who simply laid a supporting hand on my shoulder. I have been touched by each and every one of you. You have warmed my heart. I simply do not have the words to properly relay my deep appreciation for your unwavering support.

We are always faced with trials, challenges and loss in this earthly life. We never see them coming, but they are just around the corner. Life experiences sharpen us, and regardless of the experience I have always kept pushing forward. As I jump back into my full work schedule I am reminded that our neighbors’ experience loss in some form every day. Throughout my adult professional life, regardless of the challenging event be it parenthood, marriage, divorce, health, family, etc., there has been one constant – my profession.

I have been blessed on so many levels. I was blessed to be the father of two super sons. I was truly blessed to have Anne Kelly in my life. I am blessed to have the love of family, the support of my friends like yourself and my whole legal team in my life, which has been so important over the last two weeks. I have also been blessed to be an attorney who has the opportunity to help others who have experienced loss or injury. Overwhelming blessings.

I will continue to grieve (which I know is normal and healthy), but make no mistake there are people every day who need an advocate and advisor and I am going to help every person I can possibly help. I know that is what I am here to do, so the work will go on! It’s one way for me to stay sane and busy as I continue to find closure to this gaping hole in my heart! I am back and we are here for you.

God Bless.

Mike Kelly