Wedekind aiming to become new Midlands solicitor

Avid target shooter Larry Wedekind’s new aim is to become chief prosecutor in Lexington County and adjoining areas.

The goal took root during his tenure as an assistant solicitor in the 11th Circuit, a legal career that followed time in the military. Being a prosecutor “was a good fit for me, and it’s stuck,” Wedekind said.

He remains a military judge in the South Carolina Army National Guard, having helped establish modern courts in Afghanistan as part of the effort to rebuild a nation torn by terrorism.

The dual roles of prosecutor and judge is a natural fit for the 53-year-old Wedekind, friends say.

“Law and and order is in Larry’s blood,” said Zeb Williams, a Columbia lawyer who was a classmate at The Citadel.

That mettle will be put to the test in coming weeks as Wedekind seeks to win the June 14 primary contest among three Republicans to succeed his former boss, retiring longtime Solicitor Donnie Myers. No Democrats have filed.

Wedekind so far has put $15,500 in personal savings into the contest, according to campaign reports. He plans to add more but won’t say how much.

Friends say that kind of personal commitment – plus declaring his candidacy long before Myers said he would not run again – reflects a determination shown when he challenged appeals of criminal convictions while an assistant attorney general.

“There are no half-measures with Larry,” said Columbia lawyer Stephen Samuels, a friend.

Myers is supporting another assistant in the race, long-time top aide Rick Hubbard. The other candidate is Chapin attorney and law school instructor Candice Lively.

“I know he’s really angry at me,” Wedekind said of Myers. “I’ve always respected him. But he’s lost a couple of steps – it’s time to move on.”

TAKING CHARGE

Wedekind plans to focus attention against drunken driving and domestic violence if he is the voters’ choice to take over in January as chief prosecutor in Lexington, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties.

His plan includes assigning assistant prosecutors to take over handling DUI charges in magistrate court from police officers who traditionally do that.

That should result in more pleas once motorists learn that the “new emphasis” makes it harder to bet the charge, Wedekind predicted.

He also wants to add advocates who assist domestic violence victims initially, then follow up with support for them in pressing charges.

As a prosecutor, Wedekind said he is less willing to settle for pleas when it comes to violent crimes.

It’s necessary to refuse deals to pursue tougher prison sentences, he said. “I’m more willing than others to take these close-call cases to trial,” he said.

In the past, he also helped lobby successfully for changes that allow prior convictions for child molestation to be used against repeat offenders.

There will be some reassignments in the 60-member staff should he win at the polls in June, but “I’m not doing a clean sweep,” he said.

While Wedekind oversaw disposition of violent crimes such as robbery and burglary, he never took part in a capital punishment trial despite doing some preparatory work.

But Wedekind insists he’s up to the challenge as a death penalty trial looms for Timothy Jones, charged with killing his five children at their Red Bank home in August 2014. It’s the largest mass murder in the Midlands in 50 years.

His background provides the “right experience and toughness needed,” Wedekind said.

STILL IN UNIFORM

While not close personally to his former boss, Wedekind shares one trait with Myers – both sometimes make their point through storytelling.

For Wedekind, that often means talking about his time in the military both before and after he became a lawyer.

That stems from his appreciation for military history, longtime friend Williams said. “He has a great command for detail,” Williams said. “He knows something about everything.”

Wedekind joined the Marines after graduation from The Citadel, later transferring to the Navy. His time as a platoon leader taught him lessons about being a supervisor that will be helpful as solicitor, he said.

Being a military judge for the National Guard has led to assignments twice in Afghanistan overseeing legal proceedings for terrorists and helping to create a judiciary.

While supportive of police, Wedekind said an “arms-length relationship” is a necessity with officers whose actions could come under investigation by prosecutors. “Politically, you shouldn’t get in bed with them,” he said.

That dedication to balance was reflected during Wedekind’s time as a cadet leader at The Citadel, Williams said.

Wedekind was consistent in enforcing conduct expected but didn’t go overboard in demanding more than required and disciplining violations, Williams said.

Becoming solicitor is Wedekind’s political target these days, but he still enjoys occasionally practicing shooting at an indoor range in the Harbison area.

That interest in marksmanship began on his high school rifle squad, magnified by his military career.

“Then it was training,” he said. “Today, it’s relaxation.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Wedekind aiming to become new Midlands solicitor."