NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — A South Carolina sheriff has fired two deputies who were with a jail inmate who died in custody earlier this year. The decision comes just days after recordings showing some of events leading up to the death of Jamal Sutherland were made public for the first time.
Charleston County Sheriff Kim Graziano announced Monday she'd terminated the officers.
"I must weigh the interest of public safety for the community against any incident that creates even the perception of an impairment to the operation of the Detention Center for the safety of all residents, staff and our Community," Graziano said in a statement explaining her decision.
Back on January 5, 2021, deputies say Sutherland, 31, died in custody at the Charleston County Detention Center. In the recordings released last week that include body cameras from the two fired officers, deputies are seen deploying stun guns repeatedly and kneeling on the man’s neck and back, before he stops moving.
Sutherland was brought to the jail on January 4 after an incident at a mental health facility where he was staying led to third-degree assault and battery.
No charges have been filed in connection with the death.
His family spoke to reporters last Friday after the video's release saying both the mental health facility and jail failed to treat him properly given his condition.
Graziano said the jail has changed policy and will no longer force inmates to go to bond hearings. The sheriff also said the jail has stepped up nd effort to try and get inmates their medications and looking at their use of force policies.