Bond has been denied for the man charged with the murder of a Florence police officer.
WBTW News13 was the only TV station in the Florence County bond hearing on Friday.
Judge Tommy Mourounas denied bond for Frederick T. Hopkins, Jr., 74, who is charged with the murder of Sgt. Terrence Carraway and six counts of attempted murder.
Hopkins needed help getting in and out of the courtroom and appeared dazed and tired, according to News13’s Teresa Galasso who was in the courtroom.
Judge Mourounas asked Hopkins “you understand where you’re at right now?” Hopkins responded, saying “no, where am I?” The judge then responded, saying, “you’re at bond hearing court.”
The court made no decision on whether to appoint him a lawyer, delaying the decision until his financial status can be verified.
Fredrick Hopkins’ son, Seth Hopkins, also appeared in court Friday evening. Seth Hopkins faces a second degree criminal sexual conduct charge. He was denied bond and was also denied a public defender.
On Wednesday, Florence County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a home in Vintage Place to interview Seth Hopkins and serve a search warrant, according to a press release from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. On arrival, they were “ambushed without warning” by Seth’s father, Frederick Hopkins Jr.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence Police Department, as well as 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements, whose office will be prosecuting the case.
