🚨 INJUSTICE ALERT 🚨

Factual Video Audit Documenting Bad-Faith Evidence Fabrication & Pretrial Abuse — State v. James Lewis Smith (Bamberg County)

On Friday, May 23, 2025, at 6:44am, my fiancé James L. Smith was arrested for a crime he did NOT commit, (Burglary 1st Degree and Sexual Misconduct of a Minor 1st Degree).

We have video proof that James arrived at his grandmother’s home at approximately 12:23am and never left during the time of the alleged crime. The statement reads that the alleged crime happened at 1:19am, however it is documented that the alleged victim called her mom at 12:20am, almost an hour later. The alleged victim's mother can be heard on camera stating the incident took place at 12:30am. It is documented that authorities were CALLED at 1:19am. Home surveillance shows that James is at his grandmother’s home during this approximate time; the statement also reads that the suspect had on black shorts and a black shirt but footage shows he had on light colored shorts. A family member who has a history of conflict with James lied to the police, stating that he left the home at 1:00am and was gone for 45 minutes but the footage shows otherwise; surveillance shows that James never left the home after his arrival time at approximately 12:23am. There are no signs of forced entry at the alleged victim's home. The alleged victim has also changed her story multiple times, his description doesn't align with the statement and there is no solid evidence from the alleged victim.

On September 2, 2025, at his second bond hearing, James was denied for the second time; we were told the judge had to review the video then get back with us; we were also informed that this matter would be the same day or it could take a couple of days. The judge waited 1 week and 3 days to get back with us, not only that but he REFUSED to review the video evidence.

James is being held at Bamberg County Detention Center for a crime he did not commit based on lies and his past being used against him. They didn't  give James a fair chance to, authorities automatically tried to pin him at the scene due to his past conviction and labeling him as a liar.

📢 For those who TRULY know James Smith, please stand with us. Sign the petition. Share his story. Help us bring him home to his family.

UPDATE: As of March 2026, James's bond was denied once again. We have since retrieved the police bodycam footage which includes the night of the incident, the morning of James's arrest, his interrogation video and the forensic video. This goes into detail showing how the Bamberg Police Department fabricated a false story in order for the judge to sign off on an arrest warrant. Video footage also shows that James's uncle NEVER told authorities that he left at 1:00am and was gone for 45 minutes. In fact, Deputy Morrell from the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office told James's uncle the alleged crime happened at 3:00am. Either way, James never left his grandmother's home upon arriving at approximately 12:23am. Footage also shows the alleged victim's story constantly changing, including the fact that SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE SUSPECT LOOKED LIKE OR WHAT HE WAS WEARING BECAUSE IT WAS DARK.  Sergeant Alex Still falsified a police report under oath to arrest James although he had a solid alibi. The timestamps on the home surveillance showed James NEVER leaving during the time of the alleged crime.  SLED has been contacted, along with THE FBI, Attorney General's Office and the Department of Justice, along with other Government officials. Since being told that SLED is  involved; his Public Defender is now moving with some sense of urgency; however the solicitor is requesting a "NEW" sample of James's DNA when it is already in the system. Authorities have made claims that the alleged victim's clothing items no longer needed to be tested being that there was NO penetration. So why are they requesting his DNA, AGAIN? SLED has also been informed that James fears his DNA will be planted at the scene. It has been a year and a half and nothing has been tested. James has been targeted and judged due to the fact of currently being  on the registry list, however he has never forced himself on anyone but he is currently being painted as a monster under false pretense . The News Station has been contacted to shed light on the corruption within the legal system, especially in a small town such as this. True justice for James means finding and convicting the actual perpetrator. We are praying that the right person is caught, rather than allowing the Solicitor's Office to protect the system at the expense of the truth.

#JusticeForJames #Injustice #WrongfulArrest #NoSolidEvidence #Bamberg #BambergCounty #SouthCarolina #Corruption #LegalSystemMisconduct #FalsifiedReport #CorruptOfficers #ProsecutorialMisconduct
#PoliceAccountability
#AbuseOfPower
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#DueProcess Denied#SayHisName
#CommunityOutcry
#StandWithJames
#TruthWillOut
#FightInjustice