Third Circuit Solicitor Ernest "Chip" Finney III said Wednesday that he has yet to read an order signed by a circuit court judge vacating the 1944 murder conviction of George Stinney Jr. that ultimately led to the boy's execution just days later.
"I'm in Columbia with my father at the moment," Finney said. "He is in the hospital. I haven't had a chance to read the order, and I wish to review it first before I proceed and take the appropriate steps to see what comes next."
Finney defended the state's case against Stinney in his role as the circuit's top prosecutor. He said while Judge Carmen T. Mullen's decision took nearly 11 months, he's glad she took her time.
"I feel that we had a great opportunity to review something that needed to be reviewed," Finney said. "I'm very appreciative that the judge took her time and studied all the arguments."
Finney said he has not put aside a possibility of appeal.
"There is that possibility that we could appeal," he said. "But again, I want to review the order first."
