S.C. Supreme Court rules in Horry County couple’s conviction for 17-month-old’s death

The conviction of an Horry County grandmother in the death of her grandson was upheld, but part of the conviction of her boyfriend was reversed by the state Supreme Court, according to an opinion issued Wednesday.

Julia Shawnette Gorman, 44, and Robert Palmer, 37, appealed their convictions in Gorman’s 17-month-old grandson’s death in 2008 to the state’s highest court.

Justices wrote that they agree with the state Court of Appeals’ decision to reverse the couple’s convictions on aiding and abetting, upheld Gorman’s conviction of homicide by child abuse and unlawful conduct toward a child, but reversed Palmer’s conviction on the charges.