Former pastor of Bethel AME church in Summerville gets 2 years probation for fire that burned chuch

The former pastor of Bethel AME Church in Summerville has been placed on probation for two years for a fire at the church in 2005. Harold E. Hunter entered
an Alford plea in Orangeburg on Thursday to a charge of malicious injury to real property.

In Alford pleas, defendants do not acknowledge guilt but concede there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Circuit Judge James Williams imposed the sentence. Charges were dropped against Hunter’s wife. The two were arrested after several unexplained fires.

A 2006 trial ended in a hung jury.