LEE COUNTY, S.C. — Jurors found inmate Stephen Green guilty on charges of murder, assault, and battery by mob, and several other charges for his role in the 2018 riot at Lee Correctional Institution that left seven inmates dead and numerous others injured.
Before the jury entered deliberations, the prosecution and defense rested their cases Thursday. The defense called an unnamed inmate as a witness, though details of their testimony were not disclosed.
In closing arguments, the prosecution described the killing of inmate Cornelius McClary as an act of "revenge." They argued that under South Carolina’s battery by mob laws, Green was responsible for all 101 stab wounds inflicted on McClary during the riot.
The defense, however, countered by highlighting the lack of physical evidence tying Green directly to McClary’s death, as no murder weapon was shown to the jury.
According to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, 47 were involved, including Michael Juan Smith, who was found guilty in December, and Green. So far, 15 defendants have pleaded guilty, and two inmates who were charged have since died, leaving 28 cases pending.