WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Law license suspended for Columbia attorney charged with murder

Law license suspended for Columbia attorney charged with murder

(Columbia-AP) February 1, 2006 - The law license of a Columbia attorney charged with murder has been temporarily suspended by the state Supreme Court.

The order lasts for nine months and is standard for any lawyer facing serious charges.

A bail hearing was held Wednesday morning at the Richland County courthouse before Judge Johnson. Herring was granted a $750,000 bond, $350,000 of that can be in property. Before bond is granted, Herring must surrender his passport and has to be admitted to an in-patient facility to be treated for mental health issues.

He can't be released from the facility without court approval.

His psychiatrist of 15 years testified on his behalf. Also, his wife and son were also present, as well as 20 supporters from the legal and church community.

62-year-old Dewain Herring is charged with murder in the death of nightclub manager John Johnson in an early Sunday morning shooting at Chastity's Gold Club.

Investigators say Herring was angry after being kicked out of the club. Investigators say Herring then pulled a gun from his vehicle, pointed it toward the entrance and then pulled the trigger.

Several customers and the manager, John Johnson of Columbia, were standing behind the wooden door. Deputies say one single bullet struck and killed Johnson.

Herring fled in his vehicle, and Richland County investigators were able to track Herring to his home through the use of witness statements and evidence recovered at the scene.

Investigators and uniformed officers knocked on the door of Herring's home, announced who they were and that they had a search warrant in hand. Herring refused to open the door. The sheriff's department forced entry into the residence through the front door, announced who they were, and Herring confronted them in the hallway.

Officers say Herring then fled to a bedroom where he drew a weapon and pointed it at the them. Herring was shot by the officers in the arm, treated for his injuries at Palmetto Health and released into the custody of the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

Herring, a Columbia attorney who has his own practice specializing in estate and financial planning, was married with two adult sons, according to his firm's website.

People who know Herring say they are shocked to hear the allegations against him. Everyone WIS contacted declined speaking on camera, but some did offer statements.

Richland County Probate Judge Amy McCullough said, "Dewain Herring is a well known estate and probate attorney. Reports over the weekend are tragic and extremely surprising."

Herring's Pastor Michael Bullock said, "Herring was a member of the St. Martins of the Fields Episcopal Church. We are praying for everyone involved."

The court has appointed Allan E. Fulmer Jr. to take over Herring's clients. Herring specialized in estate and financial planning.

Updated 10:35am by Bryce Mursch