SLED investigate Hanahan police in sheriff's case

HANAHAN, S.C. (AP) - The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating how Hanahan police handled a traffic stop of Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt last month.

SLED spokesman Thom Berry told local media outlets that agents are reviewing the Dec. 28 traffic stop at the request of prosecutor Scarlett Wilson. He did not provide details on what agents are reviewing.

Wilson said she could not talk about the case but said she asked SLED to look at "concerns that developed after my review of the case."

An incident report released Thursday says DeWitt's pickup sped away from an officer at more than 100 mph. Hanahan police did not charge DeWitt with failure to stop for police.

DeWitt was stopped a short time later by South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers who have charged DeWitt with driving under the influence.

Hanahan police say they referred the matter to Wilson's office. Her office has said it was up to Hanahan to file the charge for failure to stop for police.

Wilson says SLED has been very cooperative.

"I expect to have the final results of their investigation within the next two to three weeks," Wilson said.

Hanahan Police Chief Mike Cochran said in a statement Thursday night that his department has worked with the state authorities to "ensure that justice is served."

The department has been under public scrutiny for weeks for its decision not to pursue the extra charge against DeWitt.