Pardon denied for man convicted of DUI crash that killed 6-year-old girl
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services has denied a pardon for Billy Patrick Hutto Jr., who was convicted in a DUI crash that killed a 6-year-old.
In 2013, Hutto was sentenced to ten years in prison for driving under the influence and crashing into the car that 6-year-old Emma Longstreet was riding in on New Year’s Day.
During the parole board hearing, Hutto, his wife, and his attorney spoke to the board requesting the pardon with Hutto saying “I wish I could take Emma’s place everyday,” and his attorney saying the pardon would “restore his civil rights” such as the right to vote, not erase or expunge his record.
Additionally, Emma’s family spoke after Hutto left the room.
Emma’s mother Karen, said through tears, “It’s too soon, please don’t do this to us,” and “I’m still broken.”
Emma’s grandmother with tears in her eyes was asking “Why?” about Hutto’s request.
After the family left the room, the board quickly and unanimously voted to deny Hutto’s request for pardon. @abc_columbia
— Lee Williams (@leewilliams93) January 29, 2025
