More details are beginning to emerge about just how South Carolina serial killer Patrick Burris was able to slip through the fingers of North Carolina's justice system and kill five people just across the border in Gaffney, SC. Gary Wright of The Charlotte Observer has the story in detail.
Despite claims by Corrections officials that they had attempted to revoke his probation when he was arrested for driving while his license was revoked in Lincoln county, the reality is that Burris' probation officer never called the Lincoln county jail to have deputies hold him. Two weeks later, Burris went on his killing spree.
Just who was this guy? The Charlotte "O" tells it:
"A Maryland native, Burris had been arrested more than 30 times in North carolina and had an extensive record across the Southeast. He served time in prison in several states."
The sad thing in the whole affair is that while the North Carolina Community Corrections system failed to keep a killer off of the street, it was South Carolina's citizens that paid the price.
Fortunately for the citizens of both states, there will be no long drawn out trial and pretend death sentence for Burris. Gastonia police killed him in a gunfight last week. There has been no confirmation on whether or not a board certified physician was in attendance during the procedure.
It’s sad that everyone keeps noting what the parole officer “DIDN”T DO” and not making note of what she “DID DO”. She did her job. She did more than her job in his case, there is no way to predict what someone elses action will be. The only person to blame is Patrick Burris.