February 13, 2013
Anderson, SC. Today the South Carolina State Supreme Court reversed Raymondeze Rivera’s murder conviction and death sentence and remanded the case for a new trial. The Court ruled that the trial Judge erred by refusing to allow the Defendant to exercise his constitutional right to testify at the trial of the case. Rivera was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the murder of Kwana Burns, who was found in her home in December 2006.
“My heart goes out to the victim’s families,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The facts surrounding this case are horrific and cry out for the death penalty. It is tragic that the families must be victimized all over again by having to undergo the rigors of another trial. The Supreme Court’s decision today does not change the facts or evidence surrounding the case and I am confident that upon retrial, we will once again secure a conviction.”