FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Seth Hopkins, the son of suspected Florence law enforcement shooter Fred Hopkins, appeared for a preliminary hearing Thursday morning on charges of criminal sexual conduct. But, similar to his father’s hearing Wednesday, the hearing was cut short.
Seth David Hopkins, 28, of Florence, was originally charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child between 11 and 14 years of age. Further investigation revealed a second child was also allegedly sexually assaulted by Hopkins.
Court adjourned after about fifteen minutes. Judge Brian Griffin said he was under the impression that Seth Hopkins would’ve had an attorney present Thursday, but that did not happen.
Seth Hopkins’ request for a public defender was previously denied for not meeting indigency requirements, meaning his family is believed to have enough money to afford a private attorney.
Solicitor Ed Clements says Hopkins previously said he thought his family was going to get him an attorney and he believes Hopkins was confused as to why he was in court today. Clements also said the court received an “unusual request” for a preliminary hearing, that had Hopkins’ brothers name on it, not his own.
“So we weren’t even sure he knew why he was here this morning. At first, we talked about going forward with the preliminary hearing today because everybody was here. But then the fact that he has not retained counsel yet was an issue, so he decided that he would like to have counsel present at a preliminary hearing which is his right,” says Clements.
The matter regarding Hopkins’ representation will be taken up at the Judicial Court next week.
