WINNSBORO – Deputy Solicitor Riley Maxwell of the Sixth Judicial Circuit notified the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on Tuesday that, after reviewing the file, he does not believe the actions of Winnsboro Public Safety Department (WDPS) Officer Peter Jackson, regarding his treatment of a handcuffed prisoner on Oct. 8, violate South Carolina criminal law.
“Therefore, it is the opinion of the Solicitor’s Office that no criminal charges be filed against Officer Jackson,” Maxwell wrote.
A Fairfield County Detention Center video acquired by The Independent Voice through a Freedom of Information Act shows Jackson jerking Campanelli, 31, off the floor and throwing him through the air several feet, face first, into a wall in the intake room at the Detention Center. Campanelli was already under arrest and his hands were cuffed behind his back when the incident occurred.
But WDPS Police Chief John Seibles told The Independent Voice that it was Campanelli who assaulted the police officer by jumping in the air under his own power and intentionally headbutting Jackson under his left eye.
According to the Sixth Judicial Public Index, Campanelli, was charged with assaulting the police officer and resisting arrest at the Detention Center. Campanelli was released on a $3,000 bond.
While Maxwell stated that it is his opinion that no criminal charges should be filed against Jackson, it is not clear whether he will pursue assault charges against Campanelli.
View related articles: ‘SLED investigating assault involving WDPS officer, detainee,’ Oct. 19, 2017 and County bans officer from jail,’ Oct. 26, 2017. To view an extended version of the detention center video, visit our Facebook page. A full report will appear in the Nov. 2 edition of The Independent Voice.
