The conviction of Stephen Green for his role in South Carolina’s deadliest prison riot at Lee Correctional Institution in 2018 has brought a sense of closure to one of the most violent incidents in the state’s prison history.
Green, 38, was found guilty of murdering 35-year-old Cornelius McClary during the riot, which resulted in the deaths of seven inmates and left 20 others injured.
McClary, a member of a rival gang, was brutally stabbed 101 times, with Green delivering the final, fatal blow approximately 30 minutes after McClary had already collapsed from his injuries.
Prosecutors, led by Barney Giese, relied on an extensive investigation that reviewed 48,000 pages of documents and substantial recorded evidence.
Giese highlighted the cruelty of Green’s actions, stating that even after McClary was incapacitated, Green inflicted further harm, reflecting the brutal nature of the incident.
The 2018 riot underscored major security issues within the prison system, particularly the widespread use of contraband cellphones, which were believed to have played a central role in the outbreak of violence.
In response, the South Carolina Department of Corrections SCDC has implemented new measures, including the shutdown of nearly 1,400 cellphones at the facility, as part of a broader effort to prevent such incidents in the future.
Following the guilty verdict, Green was sentenced to life in prison without parole. His attorney, Matthew Hicks, requested a retrial, but this was denied.
Bryan Stirling, the director of the SCDC, expressed relief at the conviction, emphasizing that justice had been served for McClary and the other victims.
Stirling noted the importance of recognizing the potential for rehabilitation, even for those serving time, and reiterated the department’s commitment to improving prison safety.