Lawmakers and Pinckney’s family gathered in the Senate chamber Wednesday afternoon to remember and celebrate Pinckney’s life. Thank you for your unwavering support, your outpouring of love and the support that you’ve given me, the entire family.
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A Senate committee picked artist Larry Lebby to paint Pinckney’s picture.
Pinckney, Matthews said, “had a good heart and believed in doing the right thing”. “It’s a sad day, we miss him”. He was killed along with eight others during a Bible study June 17.
In a court filing, federal prosecutors cited a number of factors for seeking the death penalty, saying Mr. Roof singled out victims who were black and elderly, and showed no remorse.
LOOKING BACK:Thousands pay respects to Sen.
Mr. Roof also faces the death penalty if convicted on separate, state murder charges in a trial set to begin in January.
“His portrait there is a little different than the other ones there”, Sheheen said about the other likenesses of historical figures surrounding the chamber.
“The painting of the portrait was an enjoyable process, than took me seven months for me to complete”, Lebby said.
The pastor and state senator shot to death at a Charleston church a year ago is being remembered as his portrait is unveiled in the South Carolina Senate Chambers.
The state prosecutor trying the case said last September that some of the victims’ families were opposed to a death sentence due to their religious beliefs, while others felt it was appropriate. Almost a year later, views diverged on the federal death penalty decision.
Malloy reflected on Pinckney’s political legacy, including the senator’s call for body cameras following the shooting death of an unarmed motorist in North Charleston, Walter Scott, and the Democrat’s push to expand health care to the uninsured.
“Those were his issues”, Matthews said.
Jennifer Pinckney, the senator’s widow, thanked a hushed group of dignitaries, lawmakers, friends and family, and told her husband that his portrait deserved to be hung with other figures of history in the chamber.
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“I say babe, you’re well-deserved to be hung in greatness, because you are great”, she said.
