Cornelius McClary
Cornelius McClary, 33, of Kingstree, was held at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, when fighting broke out there on the evening of April 15, 2018. He was one of seven men who died in violence that lasted more than seven hours across several housing units. The Lee County coroner ruled his death a homicide caused by blood loss from stab wounds, and his family was among those grieving. At a 2023 trial over the killing, prosecutors said fellow prisoners stabbed him repeatedly, while the defense said the attacker acted in self-defense. Testimony at that trial said a correctional officer did not intervene, and a lawsuit filed by a surviving prisoner says some of the wounded waited hours for help to reach the dorm.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The Lee County coroner said he was stabbed or slashed, prosecutors say fellow inmates stabbed him repeatedly, and an inmate told the AP that staff did not intervene for hours, a claim the corrections director disputes.
Reported by: Lee County Coroner Larry Logan (medical examiner or coroner); South Carolina Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); prosecutors; another inmate who watched him die; a surviving inmate's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Sources (58)
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