A fire engulfed the home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein on Saturday (October 4) in Edisto Island, South Carolina, injuring three people. Judge Goodstein was walking her dogs on the beach when the fire started. Her husband, former state Senator Arnold Goodstein, their son, Arnold Goodstein III, and another occupant were forced to jump from the elevated first floor to escape the flames. All three were hospitalized, with two transported by ambulance and one by air evacuation.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the incident. SLED Chief Mark Keel stated there is no evidence the fire was intentionally set or that an explosion occurred before the blaze. The fire, which started around 11:30 a.m. ET, posed challenges for firefighters due to the house's location on a barrier island with limited water supply.

Judge Goodstein, 69, had recently received death threats following a high-profile ruling that temporarily blocked the release of voter data to the Department of Justice. This decision was later overturned by the state Supreme Court. Despite the threats, SLED has not found any evidence linking them to the fire.

The incident has drawn attention to the increasing political violence and threats faced by public officials. Ashley Creech, president of the South Carolina Association for Justice, emphasized the importance of rejecting hostility and ensuring judges can make impartial rulings without fear of retaliation.

Michael DelGiorno