South Carolina murderer who was secretly freed from prison 16 years early by retiring judge was DATING prison guard who helped secure his release by claiming he saved the life of another officer

A South Carolina murderer was freed from prison 16 years early thanks in part to the testimony of a former prison guard – who was allegedly his lover.

Jeroid Price, 43, was convicted in 2003 of shooting Carl Smalls at a Columbia-area nightclub and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Yet he was released on March 15, after a judge secretly freed him on his last day before retiring, agreeing Price should be released without informing the Smalls family.

South Carolina’s top prosecutor is now appealing.

On Monday it emerged Price’s freedom was secured thanks in part to the testimony of a former prison guard, Asia Love – who was in a relationship with him, according to the attorney who helped put Price behind bars.