Michael A. Johnson, Respondent v. State of South Carolina, Petitioner

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the post‑conviction court’s finding that Johnson was not timely notified of his right to appeal and upheld the denial of his directed‑verdict motion, but it reversed the grant of relief on the claim that counsel’s failure to object to a solicitor’s closing‑argument comment was ineffective. The Court held that the comment was not improper and the trial judge’s instruction cured any error.