Lawsuit Announced In Detention Center Homicide

COLUMBIA, SC - The family of Lason Butler, the 27-year-old Orangeburg resident who died while in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, joined noted Civil Rights attorneys Bakari Sellers and Audia Jones for a news conference in Columbia Wednesday, August 3rd at 10:30 AM in order to make an important announcement on the filing of a federal lawsuit against Richland County and others.

The news conference, held at the Strom Law Firm (6923 N Trenholm Rd. Columbia, SC) featured Butler’s parents, Lakeshia Butler and John Matthews, as well as attorneys Sellers, Jones, Alexandra Benevento, Mario Pacella and Amy Willbanks.

Butler was found deceased in his cell at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center by jail staff on February 12. Officials say Butler did not appear to have signs of trauma. In a briefing, Attorney Bakari Sellers, said Butler had been found with rat bites on his body and had died in the solitary confinement area.

Butler had been in custody since Jan. 31 and was facing traffic charges that included reckless driving, failure to stop for a blue light and driving with a suspended license.

On April 6, it was announced Butler’s death was ruled a homicide by Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford who pointed directly to “lack of action” by the jail’s staff.

Sellers said, “This is the worst civil rights case I’ve ever seen.” Butler’s mother, Lakeshia Butler, said, “They took my son, I still don’t have any answers.” “I hurt every day, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my son,” she continued. She said that she attempted to bail her son out and had the money to do it but was told there was a hold on her son’s release.

John Matthews, Lason Butler’s father, said, “Think about what you’ve done to my son.” Matthews said, “He didn’t deserve this.”

Sellers said of Butler’s treatment, “Subhuman conditions of confinement and deliberate indifference to serious medical needs are responsible for the homicide death of a 27-year-old man in a mental health crisis who was being detained on misdemeanor charges.” Richland County and ASGDC employees were named as the defendants in the lawsuit.

The presentation said Butler was denied medical care by Alvin S. Glenn detention staff, refusing to allow a nurse to check on his condition. Eye witness testimony from other inmates in the facility provided statements saying Butler was denied water and had been screaming for help.

Sellers provided a timeline of statements from staff and the director to the family discussing his condition. Medical reports said Butler lost 42 pounds over 11 days. Butler died of dehydration and was shown to have an elevated sodium level at the time of death.

Sellers showed in the presentation photos of the alleged bite marks on Butler’s body from rats.