Grieving father’s testimony draws Columbia killing into SC governor’s race
Testimony of a grieving father, who’s daughter was killed in May while she was visiting Columbia, became Tuesday’s social media battle in the 2026 governor’s race.
Stephen Federico, whose 22-year-old daughter Logan Federico was killed, spoke to members of a U.S. House Judiciary Committee in Charlotte on Monday to demand stricter penalties for convicted criminals.
Logan Federico’s alleged killer, Alexander Dickey, had a history of arrests, but still was free when he committed a series of crimes that included Logan’s murder, police said. Dickey had 39 arrests, including 25 felonies.
In 2023 he was sentenced to five years in prison for a burglary, but only served 411 days, court records show.
“I will fight until my last breath for my daughter,” Federico shouted at federal lawmakers during his opening remarks, according to Fox News. “You need to fight for the rest of our children, the rest of the innocents, and stop protecting the people that keep taking them from us, please.”
Clips of Steve Federico’s testimony led to Republican hopefuls for governor to weigh-in as being tough on crime is becoming an issue in the race to be the state’s top executive.
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s Office released its own statement Tuesday.
“Attorney General Alan Wilson has spoken with all of the relevant law enforcement agencies, and they’re working together on the plan for prosecuting Alexander Dickey, the man charged with the senseless murder of Logan Federico in Columbia on May 3rd,” the office said in a statement, adding it will provide updates when available.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has been critical of the state’s criminal justice system during her campaign.
“What happened to Logan Federico right here in South Carolina was not random, it was the deadly consequence of weak-on-crime leadership,” Mace said. “This monster should have been behind bars. Instead, South Carolina families are paying the price for a justice system who protects criminals and betrays victims.”
Mace later Tuesday used Dickey’s record to take a shot at Wilson.
“Alexander Dickey was STILL set free in South Carolina. Now 22-year-old Logan Federico is dead,” Mace posted on X. “Logan’s family has no answers. Scott Spivey’s family has no justice. South Carolina is left paying the price for a do-nothing Attorney General.”
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette joined in the criticism of the justice system.
“What happened to Logan Federico is a clear illustration of our failed justice system. There is NO reason Alexander Devante Dickey, a man with 39 arrests and 25 felonies, shouldn’t have been behind bars,” Evette said. “The days of plea deals and career criminals will end when I’m governor because NO family should have to face the horror that the Federicos have faced.”
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman called for the impeachment of Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson. On Monday, Federico said Gipson had not been in contact with him in four months. According to information obtained from SLED, all but one of Dickey’s previous charges were in places other than Richland County, where a bulk of Gipson’s jurisdiction lies.
“As the father of three daughters, my heart goes out to the father failed by a weak system that let’s criminals go free. No more. I’m calling for the impeachment of Solicitor Bryon Gipson. This guy needs to go,” Norman said.
However, most of the Dickey’s criminal history was in other jurisdictions, mostly in Lexington County, which is in the 11th Judicial Circuit. According to WIS-TV, Dickey’s record was missing previous burglary charges when he was prosecuted in Lexington County in 2023. Dickey was prosecuted for a first offense in 2023, instead of a third offense, which would have carried a longer sentence.
When asked why other solicitors shouldn’t also be on the hook, Norman campaign spokesman Evan Newman pointed to Gipson’s record, who became solicitor in 2019. Newman added the state needs to look at judicial reform as well. Norman has called for the election of judges by the public instead of the legislature.
“Byron Gipson has a demonstrated history of being soft on crime. Not calling this poor father was the final straw for Ralph. Any solicitor with a pattern of being soft on crime should be removed. Legislators are good at installing bad judges. They should try removing bad solicitors,” Newman said.
Gipson’s office, in a statement Tuesday, said the solicitor and the prosecution team have been in contact multiple times with Federico’s family since Dickey’s arrest.
“Since that time, Solicitor’s Office staff have been in contact with Stephen Federico, as well as his counsel, on numerous occasions, both via text and telephone, including a telephone call as recently as Sept. 11,” Gipson’s office said. “The substance of those conversations will remain confidential. This office is committed to regular communication with the Federico family throughout the pendency of this case.”
It wasn’t just candidates for governor. One candidate for attorney general also weighed in.
“Today I told Steve Frderico that his testimony is the most powerful I have ever seen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. Our system failed Logan and the Federico family,” First Judicial Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe posted on social media. Pascoe is seeking the GOP nomination for attorney general.
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM.
CORRECTION: The location of hearing testimony was incorrect in an earlier version of the story. Stephen Federico testified at a congressional hearing in Charlotte, North Carolina.
