Murder trial delayed after Myrtle Beach legislator claims protection. What it means
A murder trial of an Horry County woman accused of killing her ex-boyfriend and then having her lover get rid of his body will not happen next week after her attorney asked for lawyer-legislator protection.
Defense attorney Thomas “Case” Brittain Jr. asked for a hearing Friday regarding the trial of Meagan Jackson, according to a release from the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. During the hearing, Brittain, a Republican state representative, asserted the protection, which runs from Jan. 1 through July 31 each year.
It is based on a decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court, which grants immunity to lawyers who are members of the legislature, unless the lawyer-legislator elects to waive the protection.
Brittain is an attorney, as well as a legislator.
Jackson’s trial was set to begin on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.
The state objected to Brittain’s request as the trial date had been agreed to by the parties last year, according to the release. However, the judge granted the request after Brittain agreed to waive his protection for June and July.
The judge ordered that the state pick a new trial date no earlier than June 1, the release said.
Jackson will face charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in the death of Greg Rice.
Christopher Dontell, a former Horry County coroner, was also involved in Rice’s death. He pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and criminal conspiracy to commit murder on Dec. 4, 2024. At the time of Rice’s death, Dontell and Jackson were having an affair.
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 2:22 PM.
