From Across South Carolina And The Nation

**AAA Carolinas: Gas Prices On The Decline After Record Highs Falling Oil Prices Enable Pump Prices To Back Off Record Highs**

Charlotte, N.C. – The price of oil suffered steep losses last week, enabling the price of gasoline to back off from record highs. The lower global price of crude oil is now more than $20 cheaper and hovering near $105/bbl.

“Typically around this time of year there’d be an uptick in gasoline demand, but demand has slipped and is defying the seasonal trend right now, likely because of higher gas prices,” said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group in the Carolinas. “The oil market remains extremely volatile, but fortunately oil prices are well below the high we saw more than a week ago – and this should enable gas prices to slip lower this week, unless oil suddenly spikes again.”

North Carolina’s current gas price average is now $4.08, having a 10-cent decline on the week. This is 66 cents more than a month ago and $1.40 more than last year. South Carolina’s current gas price average is now $3.96, also having a 10-cent decline on the week. This is 65 cents more than a month ago and $1.32 more than last year.

After hitting a record $4.33 on March 11th, the national average has fallen to $4.25.

**Black Community Group Says Man Was In Mental Crisis When Shot By Richland Deputies**

A Black man who was shot and killed Saturday by Richland county deputies did not have a lethal weapon and was in a mental health crisis, according to a community group.

Irvin Moorer-Charley, 34, “only had a small wooden stick in his hand” when Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies shot him, The South Carolina Black Activist Coalition said in a news release Sunday.

**Cong. Clyburn To File On Monday For Re-Election**

COLUMBIA, SC – On Monday, Congressman James E. Clyburn officially file to run for re-election to represent South Carolina's 6th congressional district. After filing, he held a press conference at his campaign headquarters to make the official announcement. During his service in Congress, Jim Clyburn has focused on making headway over headlines. He is seeking re-election to continue his work to ensure America’s greatness is accessible and affordable for all.

**Lawyer’s Committee Calls Judge Jackson A Fair-Minded Jurist Committed To Civil Rights And Justice For All**

On the morning of the Senate Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law released a report evaluating the judge with a recommendation for confirmation.

The organization said the report reflects a thorough review of Judge Jackson’s record on civil rights issues of importance to the Lawyers’ Committee’s mission.

The report revealed that Judge Jackson “possesses not only the exceptional competence necessary to serve on the Court, but also that she approaches legal questions with a profound respect for the importance of protecting the civil rights afforded by the Constitution and the nation’s civil rights laws.”

**Police Shooting by Hemingway Police Officer Cassandra Dollard Released**

COLUMBIA, SC - Attorneys for the family of Robert Junior Langley, the 46-year-old black man shot and killed by Hemingway Police officer Cassandra Dollard, responded to dashboard camera video of the pursuit and shooting that led to Langley’s death released today calling it both troubling and telling.

Dollard shot and killed Langley in the Pleasant Hill area of Georgetown County on Sunday, February 6, 2022. following a chase which began in Williamsburg County. Dollard was arrested days later and charged with Voluntary Manslaughter. Langley’s family is represented by noted Civil Rights attorneys Sen. Gerald Malloy and Bakari Sellers and Horry County Attorney Brana Williams.

“It’s clear from the video that Officer Dollard was out of her depth,” said Sellers. “She never should have been cleared to wear a badge and carry a gun and Robert Junior Langley paid for it with his life.”

While Sellers and the other attorneys say that Langley’s family will be taking legal action in order to hold Dollard, the Town of Hemingway and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy responsible for Langley’s death, they make it clear that future lawsuits may be expanded to include Williamsburg County and others.

“Let’s be clear. Officer Dollard pulled the trigger, but the Hemingway Police Department gave her the gun and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy cleared her to use it,” Malloy said. “It’s a dramatic failure at every level and it’s difficult to watch.”

“”When people watch this video, I hope they realize that this isn’t just some statistic. He was a father, a brother, a son and they killed him for nothing,” Langley’s mother, Roslyn Brockington Langley, said speaking for the family. “They left a hole in our lives and it could happen to anyone.”