2nd Lee CI riot trial begins Monday, Sept.23

The second trial for the deadliest prison riot in South Carolina that left seven dead begins Monday in Bishopville.

Stephen Green will appear before court on Sept. 23 for murder, assault and battery by mob and other charges for his role in the 2018 riot at Lee Correctional Institute that left seven inmates dead and numerous injured. 

Green's charges are among the most serious in this incident, according to Chrysti Shain,  director of communications for South Carolina Department of Corrections. 

According to Item archives, nearly eight hours of fighting at Lee Correctional Institution overnight on April 15, 2018, ended in the deaths of seven inmates: Raymond Angelo Scott, 28; Michael Milledge, 44; Damonte Marquez Rivera, 24; Eddie Casey Jay Gaskins, 32; Joshua Svwin Jenkins, 33; Corey Scott, 38; and Cornelius Quantral McClary, 33. Another 17 were injured. Coroner reports state the cause of death was exsanguination — severe loss of blood — "due to multiple sharp-force injuries from stab wounds and incise wounds."

Initially, 29 inmates were charged, however the investigation has since found over 20 more suspected of involvement.

Green will be the second to go on trial after jurors rendered a guilty verdict to Michael Smith in  December 2023. Smith was found guilty on charges of  first-degree assault and battery by mob resulting in the death of McClary, prisoner carrying or concealing a weapon and criminal conspiracy. He was sentenced to a total of 40 years -- 30 years for the assault and battery charge, 10 years for concealing a weapon and a five-year concurrent sentence for the conspiracy charge, according to The Item archives. 

Jury selection  and opening arguments are scheduled for Monday at the Lee County Courthouse before Judge Ferrel Cothran Jr. 

The Sumter Item will update this story as needed as the trial progresses.