US Magistrate Gives Seneca Time to Respond

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) _ A federal magistrate has given lawyers for Seneca more time to get details about emails sent to a public relations company after a city police officer shot and killed a man last summer.

The Anderson Independent-Mail reported the ruling came in a wrongful death lawsuit by the parents of 19-year-old Zachery Hammond.

Hammond was killed in a restaurant parking lot after a Seneca police officer tried to stop him from leaving.

Hammond’s parents subpoenaed the emails for their lawsuit. Seneca hired a public relations company to deal with media requests after the shooting.

Hammond family attorney Eric Bland said about 140 emails had parts blacked out. City lawyers say the information was protected by attorney-client privilege.

Federal Magistrate Kevin McDonald wants to decide if the information can be released.