RoguePlanet

Only in South Carolina

Hog-wrasslin' juror subdues rampaging convict:

Hog wrestler used talents in line of duty
Juror No. 1 knew it was up to him to subdue defendant
By Kelly Marshall Fuller
The Sun News
GEORGETOWN - A juror who took a flying leap out of a jury box had one thought in mind as he prepared to tackle an angry defendant who was about to choke a prosecutor: Hit him low.

Jon Cottingham, 56, known as juror No. 1, said he locked eyes with Shannon McGee, 39, who had just been sentenced to life in prison for a sex crime against a minor, as McGee crossed the room toward the prosecution Wednesday.

A former high school football player and longtime hog wrestler, Cottingham went into a crouch and prepared to lunge at a man who was bigger and taller than him.

"I knew what to do: Hit him low," Cottingham said. "He's got to come down. I was just trying to block him from interfering with anybody. I was thinking it was something that had to be done."

OK, I admit it: I was born and raised in South Carolina, and I've never heard of hog-wrestling. Gator-wrestling, yes. But not hog-wrestling.