STATE BRIEFS

Group plans vigil

before execution

COLUMBIA - An anti-death penalty group plans to hold a vigil outside the South Carolina prison where a man is set to be put to death by electrocution.

The Christian Action Council says it will have signs available for anyone wishing to participate Friday before the 6 p.m. execution of James Earl Reed.

Reed has been on South Carolina's death row since 1996 for the murders of his ex-girlfriend's parents. Reed represented himself during his trial, denying the killings despite a confession and arguing that no physical evidence placed him at the scene.

Jurors found him guilty and decided he should die.

Reed would be the first person electrocuted in South Carolina in more than four years. Most executions have been carried out by lethal injection.

Woman pleads to lesser charge

CONWAY - A Conway woman once convicted of homicide by child abuse for using cocaine during her pregnancy has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Prosecutor Greg Hembree says Regina McKnight pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter Thursday and was sentenced to five years in prison after officials worked an agreement to avoid another trial in her case.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach says McKnight is expected to be released soon, since she was given credit for the time served after the 2001 conviction.

The South Carolina Supreme Court in May had ordered a new trial for McKnight, saying her attorney did a poor job in the earlier trial.

She was convicted of killing her baby girl by using cocaine during her pregnancy and had served seven years in prison. McKnight had given birth to a stillborn, 5-pound girl in 1999.