Staff Writer
rseaborn@pickenssentinel.com
PICKENS COUNTY - Circuit Judge Ned Miller Thursday ordered that the sentencing trial of Jerry Buck Inman be halted indefinitely after a defense witness refused to testify.
Dr. Marty Loring, a clinical social worker in Georgia, declined to take the witness stand, stating that she was "alarmed and concerned" that Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail questioned her credentials in conducting interviews in South Carolina without receiving the necessary state license.
Ariail told the judge during voir dire, a social worker must be licensed in that field before practicing in the state, and failure to obtain proper licensing could result in penalties.
Dr. Loring, who testified Wednesday that she interviewed Inman extensively and planned to offer the court insight into his history, refused to testify, seeking protection under the Fifth Amendment.
Even though Ariail told the court and Loring that she would receive immunity from prosecution for her testimony in the Inman hearing, she continued to state that she was fearful.
"I worked so hard, but I feel too threatened as a witness to testify at this time." Loring said Wednesday.
Miller offered Loring the opportunity to consult an attorney and one who happened to be in the courtroom that day volunteered his services.
Attorney Bill Godfrey told the court that he would render his services to Loring at no cost.
Court proceedings were delayed almost two hours Thursday, while Loring spoke with her attorney, during which time Jim Bannister, one of three lawyers representing Inman, asked that the hearing be declared a mistrial, due to the "intimidation" of his witness.
Godfrey also told the judge that his client did not wish to testify and would take Fifth Amendment privileges.
However, Miller said that Fifth Amendment privileges were not available to Loring after she had been granted immunity.
"I am not sure how I'm going to deal with Dr. Loring," Miller said. "She is a subpoenaed witness who is refusing to testify."
Miller said that he had three alternatives in proceeding with the trial, being continuing without Loring's testimony, declaring a mistrial, or ruling for a continuance in the hearing to give the defense team an opportunity to hire another social worker to replace Loring.
"There is no jury here and I have copious notes, and we have the best court reporters in the state," Miller said, adding that the case would be postponed indefinitely while the defense replaced Loring.
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