SC AG wants solicitor handling Logan Federico murder case to seek death penalty
Attorney General Alan Wilson wants Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson to seek the death penalty against the alleged killer of woman who was visiting Columbia in May.
It’s at least the second time this year when the attorney general, who is running for governor, has inserted himself into a Fifth Judicial Circuit case that has gained national attention. The case also has led to Republican candidates for governor to weigh in.
Wilson, a Republican, wants Gipson, a Democrat, to pursue the death penalty for Alexander Dickey, who is charged with murder of Logan Federico, a 22-year-old woman who was visiting Columbia when she was allegedly shot and killed.
Dickey had a history of arrests, but still was free when he committed a series of crimes that included killing Logan Federico, police said. Dickey had 39 arrests, including 25 felonies.
“A review of Mr. Dickey’s prior criminal history of numerous convictions since 2014 reveals an individual that has failed to be rehabilitated by prior incarcerations or probation supervision,” Wilson wrote in a letter sent on Tuesday. “His past history, as well as his current violent crime charges show an appropriate candidate for the ultimate punishment.”
Wilson gave Gipson until Oct. 10 to make a decision. Wilson also wrote the attorney general’s office is ready to assume the responsibility of making the decision if Gipson or his staff believe they’re unable to proceed.
In a response sent Wednesday, Gipson said his office is working with the Columbia Police Department to “meticulously review, research and assess” the case against Dickey.
“We are not in a position to ethically make an informed decision about something of this magnitude in order to meet your imposed deadline,” Gipson wrote. “It would be reckless, irresponsible and unethical for my office to make this decision without first having conducted a comprehensive review of all evidence in the case.”
Gipson also appeared to show frustration with the amount of criticism his office is taking when most of Dickey’s criminal history was outside of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
“As you are aware from reviewing said record, only one of those occasions, a 2022 arrest, occurred in a county within the jurisdiction of this office,” Gipson wrote to Wilson. “The remaining offenses all occurred in other jurisdictions which would make any prosecutorial decisions related to those offenses the responsibility of other prosecutorial agencies outside of the purview of the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.”
With Gipson’s decision still pending, Wilson followed up on Thursday by assigning a member of his office to assist the solicitor’s office in the Dickey case. Melody Brown, a senior attorney in the Attorney General’s Capital & Collateral Litigation Section, who has experience in cases that warrant the death penalty, will work with Gipson’s prosecution team in the case, Wilson said.
Wilson also said his office will lead a full audit of Dickey’s criminal record and his prior legal proceedings, which will include an examination of why he was not in prison at the time of the murder.
“We owe it to Logan Federico’s family, and to every family in South Carolina, to make sure justice is served,” Wilson said.
Gipson acknowledged he has little power to stop Wilson’s office from taking over the Dickey case. Wilson’s office took over the prosecution of Rosali Fernandez-Cruz, a person who was wanted by immigration enforcement for deportation and is charged in the hit-and-run death of Nate Baker, who was a University of South Carolina student.
“However, until such a declaration is made, my staff will continue to work on this case in preparation for making all relevant and necessary decisions, including, but not limited to, what potential sentences might be appropriate,” Gipson wrote.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM.
