2 SC deputies reprimanded for NC killer release

YORK, S.C. (AP) — Two South Carolina sheriff’s deputies have been reprimanded for the accidental release of a man convicted of murder in North Carolina earlier this year.

York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant issued the written reprimands and a new set of polices to prevent accidental releases.

Thomas Aaron Whitlock was accidentally released from the York County jail Feb. 27 after he completed a sentence for a drug charge.

Jail officers did not know Whitlock was supposed to be returned to North Carolina to finish a sentence of up to 14 years for shooting and killing a Charlotte, N.C., man.

A captain in charge of inmate transportation was reprimanded for failure to properly communicate instructions to avoid Whitlock’s release. Another deputy was cited for allowing Whitlock to use the officer’s cell phone.