South Carolina Solicitor Faces Backlash Over Plea Deal in Brutal Child Murder Case

Attorney general candidate David Stumbo accused of 'sweetheart deal' with convicted killer William Ryan Looper

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:09pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary jail cell window, with warm sunlight streaming in and deep shadows casting a somber mood, conceptually representing the complex realities of the criminal justice system.The plea deal in a brutal child murder case has become a political flashpoint, exposing the tensions between prosecutors' discretion and the public's demand for harsh punishment.Laurens Today

A brutal child murder case in Laurens County, South Carolina has become a political issue in the state's attorney general race, with S.C. eight circuit solicitor David Stumbo facing criticism over a plea agreement that spared the defendant from the death penalty. Stumbo, who is running for the Republican nomination for attorney general, defended the decision as a pragmatic move to ensure the killer spends the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Why it matters

The case highlights the tension between prosecutors' discretion in plea bargaining and the public's demand for harsh punishment, especially in high-profile violent crimes. As Stumbo campaigns for a higher office, his handling of this case has become a focal point, with opponents seeking to portray it as an example of 'failed prosecutorial judgment'.

The details

William Ryan Looper was charged in the 2018 death of his girlfriend's two-year-old son in Laurens County. Investigators described the case as exceptionally disturbing, with the child suffering extensive injuries consistent with prolonged abuse and sexual assault. Stumbo's office initially sought the death penalty, but in November 2021, Looper entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. In exchange, prosecutors removed the death penalty as a sentencing option, and Looper was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with decades-long concurrent sentences on the remaining charges.

  • In 2018, Looper was charged in the death of his girlfriend's two-year-old son.
  • In November 2021, Looper entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

The players

David Stumbo

S.C. eight circuit solicitor who is one of three candidates for the Republican nomination for attorney general.

William Ryan Looper

Convicted killer who admitted to the rape, torture and murder of a two-year-old boy.

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What they’re saying

“That's dishonest politics, plain and simple. I hunted Looper with the death penalty for over three years — and leveraged every ounce of that pressure to do something almost unheard of: reach back over decades to lock up the abusive father who created that monster and ensured Looper himself will die in a cold prison cell one day. I also spared two young boys from reliving that trauma in court on the witness stand through decades of appeals.”

— David Stumbo, Solicitor

What’s next

The case has become a central issue in the Republican primary for South Carolina attorney general, with Stumbo's opponents seeking to use it to attack his record on violent crime. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on Stumbo's handling of the case when they cast their ballots in the June 9, 2026 primary election.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex considerations prosecutors must balance when handling high-profile violent crimes, including the emotional toll on victims' families, the realities of the death penalty system, and the need to ensure defendants spend the rest of their lives behind bars. As Stumbo's political opponents seek to capitalize on public outrage, the outcome reflects the growing trend of courtroom decisions being reframed for maximum political impact.