Ex-SC police chief charged in shooting death

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — The prosecutor in Orangeburg says the former police chief in Eutawville has been charged with misconduct in the shooting death of a man two years ago.

Prosecutor David Pascoe said Wednesday that a grand jury has charged Richard Combs in the May 2, 2011, death of 54-year-old Bernard Bailey.

The indictment accuses Combs of unnecessarily using deadly force during a confrontation with Bailey outside the Eutawville Town Hall.

Combs faces up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted.

Pascoe said in March he was continuing the investigation after the U.S. Justice Department said it would not file charges.

Combs’ attorney, John O’Leary, did not immediately respond to a telephone message early Thursday.

Combs left the town after the shooting. Town officials would not say why.