Pardon denied for man responsible in DUI death of 6-year-old Emma Longstreet
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — A pardon request has been denied for Billy Hutto, Jr., convicted in a DUI crash that caused the death of six-year-old Emma Longstreet.
Emma was on the way to church with her family on New Year’s Day in 2012 when her life was cut short.
Hutto, whose blood alcohol level was .208 at the time of the crash, was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
He was released after six years in 2019 for good behavior.
Wednesday morning, Hutto made his case for a pardon before the board at SC Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services.
“There’s not a single day that goes by that I don’t regret what’s taken place. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could take the place of Emma Longstreet,” says Hutto.
His attorney reminding the board that a pardon would restore Hutto’s civil rights like the ability to vote and hold gainful employment — not erase or expunge Hutto’s record.
“I just pray that yall can honor the forgiveness and the pardon that God has already given him,” says Hutto’s wife.
Separately, Emma’s parents David and Karen, and her extended family spoke before the board, pleading with them to deny Hutto’s request.
“I still struggle with depression some days. I still don’t want to get out of bed, I don’t want to be a wife or mom, I just want to go to heaven and be with Emma, I just want to hold her again and hold my baby. But I know my husband wants me here. I just don’t understand why she was taken so early,” says Karen Longstreet.
“But today I need one thing. I need you to deny his pardon. Because it is personal. It hurts. It’s deep. It hurts so many people. And I do believe one day. But not today, it’s too early,” says David Longstreet.
The board quickly and unanimously denied Hutto’s request for pardon after the family left the room.
David and Karen had this to say after the news of his denial.
“I know it’s not ever gonna bring Emma back but it does show there is change, and hopefully it affects not just this decision today but future legislation that we can continue to improve our state,” says David.
“I am glad that they did not grant the fellow that killed Emma a pardon. I always felt like his sentence was too short, and I’m very grateful for the decision they made today, and I’m very thankful for my family for hanging with me these last 13 years and not leaving my side,” says Karen.
Emma’s death led to the creation of “Emma’s Law” which passed in 2014. As of 2024, the law was updated to require anyone with a DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle.
