Recently declassified prison phone calls have led to allegations that a South Carolina sheriff is showing favoritism toward a woman accused of drunkenly killing a bride on her April wedding day.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, accused of crashing into newlyweds Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchison while riding in a golf cart after their wedding, says in the calls she is “very happy” because Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano is “trying to help ( her out.’
The calls were released as part of a lawsuit filed by local South Carolina media outlets. They also reveal a lack of remorse on the part of the suspect, who is being held without bail after being put on a flight risk this week.
Komoroski says in the video that Graziano arranged for her parents to visit, despite protocol in the prison system that allowed only lawyers to visit inmates while all other visits were done remotely. She goes on to complain about the prison food, but says she was treated well all things considered.
The horrific crash occurred in Folly Beach, South Carolina, on April 28. Two days after the crash, she exclaimed on the phone to her parents, “Oh my God. I just can’t believe this happened to me. … Why me? … I’ll stay here for years and years and years and years.’
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, is shown talking to her boyfriend about her cordial interaction with Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano
Komorosk also speaks to her father, complaining about her prison conditions in the new calls
The heartbreaking final photo of bride Samantha Miller and husband Aric Hutchison just after she was killed when the golf cart they were riding was hit by a car
“I can’t believe this is my life… my whole life will be over,” she added.
New calls show Komoroski speaking to her boyfriend and saying she expects to be released thanks to the sheriff’s help.
“The deputy sheriff, like anything, the main character of Charleston County. I met her today and she’s trying to help me,” says the 25-year-old.
“She’s like, ‘I don’t want you here. You should be with your family, like, blah, blah, blah, so that’s really good… So I can hopefully be home sooner.’
“That’s good,” her friend replies.
Komoroski also calls the sheriff “really nice.”
“Something similar happened, I think, to someone she knew personally. So she related to the story, and she just really related to me. She just seemed very sincere, and she really wants to help, so I’m very happy,” the suspect continues.
“She’s also the one who got my mom and dad to love visiting me in person — like through a glass, but like in person,” she continues.
Komoroski is pictured in a mug shot after the fatal crash when she killed a bride on her wedding night
Miller died and Hutchinson was seriously injured when their golf cart (pictured) rolled multiple times and was thrown 100 yards by Komoroski’s Toyota Camry
Hutchinson was confined to a wheelchair after suffering two broken legs, multiple facial fractures and a concussion. He is seen here at a beachside memorial to his late bride
Speaking to her father, Komoroski says she experienced “a lot of ups and downs” in prison. “But I know it will all work out in the end.”
“We just have to get through it, that’s all. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it.”
In a series of statements to various media outlets, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office denied that Komoroski was subjected to any kind of special treatment and that it was routine for the sheriff to visit inmates.
The office said Graziano and the suspect met twice, one of those encounters being described as “briefly.”
The statement also denied that Komoroski’s attorney and the sheriff have a “personal relationship.”
The suspect is charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of drunk driving resulting in death or grievous bodily harm.
Komoroski appeared in court via video Tuesday, wearing a striped prison suit and looking visibly distraught and uncomfortable as the South Carolina circuit rejected her bond appeal.
Circuit Judge Michael Nettles requested that both parties expedite the trial, which is scheduled for March 2024.
If the case has not been heard by then, Komoroski could be released on $150,000 bail and placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring.
“This is certainly a very tragic situation for everyone involved,” Nettles said after making his decision.
“She didn’t just kill my child,” Lisa Miller, the bride’s mother, tearfully told the court. “She killed us all.”
Lawyers for Komoroski asked for $100,000 bail under the terms that she enter a rehabilitation program, remain under the supervision of her mother, and refrain from access to a vehicle or alcohol.
In a strange twist, it emerged that Komoroski’s mother Traci, pictured here, was also once involved in a fatal car accident
The defense argued she posed no community danger or flight risk, highlighting her lack of previous criminal history and strong support from her family.
Komoroski’s blood alcohol level was 0.261, three times over the limit on the night of April 28, and he reportedly told officers in the aftermath of the crash, “Suddenly something hit me.” I didn’t do anything wrong.’
Driving a rented Toyota Camry, Komoroski was traveling at 105 mph in a 25 mph zone around 10 p.m., along a dimly lit residential street on East Ashley Avenue.
Komoroski ended a golf cart carrying the bride and groom, throwing it 100 yards and flipping over several times, killing Hutchinson and seriously injuring her new husband.
In a strange twist, it emerged that Komoroski’s mother Traci was also once involved in a fatal car accident
A wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of the groom, Aric Hutchinson, alleges that Komoroski was heavily intoxicated when she slammed into the back of their golf cart at high speed on Folly Beach.