On Joe Biden’s last full day in office, he made a point to visit Charleston, South Carolina, a city that played a crucial role in his journey to the White House.
This visit was a gesture of gratitude to the state’s Democratic voters who helped him secure the presidency in 2020.
Yet, there was one important place missing from his itinerary: Conway, South Carolina.
A small town just 15 miles away from the busy Myrtle Beach, Conway has a unique charm, and right now, it holds a deep, unresolved wound that Biden’s presidency has reopened.
Conway is not a place people often talk about, but it holds a special place in the hearts of its 27,000 residents.
The town, home to Coastal Carolina University, is known for its old history and tight-knit community.
But in 2017 and 2002, the town was struck by violent crimes that left a lasting impact. Three local women—Donna Major, Katie Skeen, and Alice Donovan—were brutally murdered, and the grief that followed is still fresh in the minds of many in Conway.
Biden recently made a controversial decision to commute the sentences of the men responsible for these murders, sparking outrage in Conway.
The killers, who were on death row, now face life in prison without parole, and the town’s residents feel that this act of clemency has reopened old wounds. For Conway, the death penalty is not a distant concept—it’s personal.
Donna and Katie were murdered during a bank robbery in 2017. The killer shot Donna multiple times and then turned to Katie, shooting her as she hid under a desk.
The brutal nature of this crime shocked the town. Alice Donovan’s death was no less tragic.
In 2002, she was carjacked and left to die in thick brush, her body remaining undiscovered for seven years. These were not just crimes—they were deeply upsetting events that changed the town forever.
When Biden used his power to reduce the sentences of the men convicted of these crimes, many people in Conway were outraged.
Local leaders, including the mayor, spoke out about the pain this decision caused. The city issued an official statement saying that Biden’s clemency decision had reopened wounds that would never fully heal.
This wasn’t just about politics—it was about real people, real pain, and a community that felt abandoned.
One resident described how the murder of Alice Donovan had left women in Conway afraid to go to certain places, like the Walmart where she was carjacked.
This sense of fear and unease had lingered for years, and Biden’s decision felt like a slap in the face to those who had lived through these tragedies.
Biden’s actions, meant to make a statement about the death penalty, are seen by many as a failure to acknowledge the lasting pain in small towns like Conway.
His decision to spare the lives of convicted murderers may have been well-intentioned, but it left a community already hurting in even more pain.
It’s easy to view the death penalty as a distant issue, but in places like Conway, it hits close to home.
The families of the victims are still struggling with the decision. Betty Richardson Davis, Katie Skeen’s mother, called it an “injustice,” and Donna Major’s husband, Daniel, expressed his deep disappointment with the justice system.
While some praised Biden for his stance against the death penalty, in Conway, many see this as a betrayal of justice.
Perhaps Biden’s final day in office would have been more meaningful if he had visited Conway.
If he had taken the time to speak with the people who were directly impacted by his clemency, it might have offered some closure. Instead, his decision has left a town grieving and angry, struggling to understand why their pain was overlooked.
In politics, it’s impossible to please everyone, but a visit to Conway could have shown that Biden understands the personal side of his decisions.
If he had made that detour, he might have been able to offer some reassurance to a town that has suffered so much.
As the dust settles on his presidency, it’s clear that for Conway, this chapter will be a hard one to close.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
