Bond refused for a shooter accused of murdering a police officer from Florence

RELATED LINKS

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – A bail has been denied for the man accused of the murder of a police officer from Florence.

WBTW News13 was the only television channel to hear on Florence County bonds on Friday.

Judge Tommy Mourounas denied the bail of 74-year-old Frederick T. Hopkins, Jr., charged with the murder of Sgt. Terrence Carraway and six counts of attempted murder.

Hopkins needed help getting in and out of the audience room and seemed dazed and tired, according to Teresa Galasso of News13 who was in the audience room.

Judge Mourounas asked Hopkins "do you understand where you are now?" Hopkins answered by saying "no, where am I?" The judge then responded by saying, "You are in the courtroom for obligations".

The court made no decision as to the appointment of a lawyer, which delayed the decision until its financial statement could be verified.

Fredrick Hopkins' son, Seth Hopkins, also appeared in court Friday night. Seth Hopkins faces a charge of second-degree sexual conduct. He was denied bail and a public defender.

On Wednesday, members of the Florence County Sheriff's Office arrived at a Vintage Place home to interrogate Seth Hopkins and execute a search warrant, according to a press release from the Richland County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, they were "trapped 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 with Ed Clements, legal counsel of the 12th Circuit, who will pursue the case.