SC judge exits Sanford wrongful-death lawsuit

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — A Beaufort County judge is removing himself from overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit against members of former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s family.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/uNvFZC ) that Beaufort Master in Equity Judge Marvin Dukes said in a court order filed this month that a conflict prevented him from hearing the lawsuit.

The case was filed by the family of Camilo Andres Restrepo-Lopez, a 6-year-old boy who died after being found at the bottom of a pool during a party at Coosaw Plantation in August. The party was hosted by John and Julia Sanford, the former governor’s brother and sister-in-law.

Lopez’s death was ruled an accident.

Dukes did not elaborate on the conflict in the filing and could not be reached for comment.

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Information from: The Island Packet, http://www.islandpacket.com