Judge denies Defense Motion in Bartee Case

A motion filed by attorneys for former Oconee County Sheriff’s candidate James Bartee was denied in court this week.  The Anderson Independent reports that Judge J.C. Nicholson ruled the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division or SLED does not have to turn over material the agency has compiled in a file against Bartee to his defense attorney. Judge Nicholson said that the SLED file “contained no material that is necessary for the State to turn over under the South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure.”  The judge’s order does not disclose what material Bartee’s attorneys were seeking by gaining access to his SLED file. Bartee is on trial charged with plotting to kidnap retired Judge James Williams, who challenged Bartee’s qualifications to run for sheriff.