South Carolina's dysfunctional criminal system

Image by Flickr user ExothermicImage by 20090712-prison.jpg

Brothers Rafael and Leon Horlbeck, the two men accused of murdering a teen in downtown on June 29, are prime examples of the dysfunction that is the South Carolina's criminal justice system.

Read more stories on this subject in our crime topic page.Combined, the two men have rap sheets that include over 85 crimes involving beating and and shooting over half a dozen people. Drug dealing, the rape of an eight year old boy, and at least two counts of murder are other crimes to add to that list. Disturbingly, Rafael has never spent a day in state prison while Leon has served fewer than four years total.

The Post and Courier has a great story on the disarray of South Carolina's penal system that lets convicted killers roam free on our city streets.

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