Charleston prosecutor Hoisington dies after cancer battle

Ralph Hoisington, solicitor for Charleston and Berkeley counties, died Saturday night after a battle with pancreatic cancer, said Bobbi Jo O'Neal, a deputy coroner for Charleston County. Hoisington was 59.

After he was diagnosed with cancer last year, Hoisington had remained optimistic about his chances for recovery and continued to advise on cases deep into the final stages of his illness, his friends say.

"Ralph has always been a champion for the victim in the courtroom," Charleston attorney Bart Daniel, a close friend for decades, told The (Charleston) Post & Courier for a story on its Web site Sunday.

Under state law, Gov. Mark Sanford will name a temporary successor, a nomination that will be subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Hoisington's seat is up for election in 2008.

In 2000, Hoisington was elected as solicitor for South Carolina's ninth judicial circuit, defeating openly gay incumbent David Schwacke in the Republican primary and Democrat Bill Runyon in the general election.

As a young man, a career in law seemed far from likely for Hoisington, who worked as a construction crewman, machinery operator and movie extra _ even appearing in a parade scene of the film "Hello Dolly."

His biography on the solicitor's office Web site says Hoisington had previously worked in private practice, also serving as a deputy solicitor, an assistant U.S. attorney and as a municipal judge. He served a brief stint in the Army before graduating from the College of Charleston in 1977 and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1980.

In a 2002 interview, Hoisington told The Post & Courier that, while he felt no compunction against seeking the death penalty, witnessing an execution brought home the realization that life is precious and uncertain.

"That sort of knowledge makes you a better prosecutor," he said.

Last year, Hoisington gave notice that he would seek the death penalty against a man charged with torturing another man to death. It will be Charleston's first death penalty case in five years.

Visitation for Hoisington is scheduled to be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Charleston County Courthouse. A funeral is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday on the campus of The Citadel.

Hoisington leaves behind a wife, Michelle, and two sons, Tanner and Walker.

source:www.thetandd.com