Ritchie urges Kitchens to drop out of sheriff’s race | News

Chief Carl Ritchie today called on his Republican challenger for Charleston County sheriff, Greg Kitchens, to withdraw from the race, after a report detailed a lawsuit against Kitchens for beating a suspect in 1995. internal investigation further described the actions of another deputy. , then Lt. Chevalier Harris, to arrest Kitchens during the incident. The victim received a monetary settlement following the trial.

“I am appalled not only by the actions alleged in the lawsuit, but also by Greg Kitchens' smug and ignorant response,” Chief Ritchie said. “The victim received a monetary settlement. The fact that Greg Kitchens claims he was exonerated shows how out of touch he is. The only person who was exonerated for his actions that night was Lt. Harris , who not only had to forcibly knock Kitchens down, but also punched Kitchens in the face after the incident. Again, Lt. Harris was exonerated for his actions and later rose through the ranks of Captain Greg Kitchens, who resigned. shortly after the lawsuit was filed and has not served in law enforcement in over 25 years.”

“Charleston County deserves a sheriff it can trust to serve and protect,” Ritchie continued. “While Kristin Graziano does not have the leadership ability to do just that, the information in this lawsuit will give her the ammunition to win re-election if Greg Kitchens is the Republican nominee. Charleston County can no longer have Kristin Graziano for sheriff. If Greg Kitchens “If he is truly serious about fixing the sheriff's office and replacing Graziano with a competent Republican sheriff, he should withdraw from the race today. “