Deaths in Custody
Died in prison

Cornelius McClary

33 years old · died April 15, 2018 · Lee Correctional Institution, Lee County, South Carolina

Cornelius McClary, 33, was held at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, when fights that lasted more than seven hours broke out there on April 15, 2018, killing seven men. The South Carolina Department of Corrections described the violence as altercations among people held in three housing units and said no staff were injured. Prosecutors say McClary was stabbed repeatedly by people held in his dorm after he could not get back into his cell, and that he collapsed on a staircase. The Lee County coroner, Larry Logan, ruled his death a homicide caused by blood loss from stab wounds. A witness told the Post and Courier that no officer was present to help him before he died, and testimony at a later trial said video of the attack showed a correctional officer did not intervene.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The Department of Corrections described the deaths as inmate-on-inmate attacks, and SLED Agent Jamie Shaw testified at a trial that a correctional officer did not intervene during the attack; a witness said no officer was present to help him.

Reported by: South Carolina Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Lee County Coroner Larry Logan (medical examiner or coroner); South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) (outside investigators); prosecutors; another man held nearby who watched the attack.

News reports (16)

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