Family of Lavell Lane, Civil Rights group respond after SLED closes jail death investigation

Macon Atkinson, Herald-Journal
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Lavell Lane's mother, Beverly, was one of about 50 people gathered at Kingdom New Life Deliverance Church in Una Saturday to participate in a town hall to discuss the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. >

The crowd also came to discuss deaths in law enforcement custody.

Lavell Lane died Oct. 3 while in custody at the Spartanburg Detention Facility.

This week, South Carolina law enforcement announced that no criminal charges will be filed following Lane's death. The investigation was closed after almost six months.

Spartanburg County Detention Center has had 18 deaths from 2015 to 2021, more than any other county jail in the state, according to data in a report from Incarceration Transparency South Carolina.

Jimmy Lee Hill, 41, of Spartanburg, was the third reported inmate of 2023 to die at the jail on Wednesday, March 29.

Dr. Candace Brewer, president of the National Racial Justice Network, which organized Saturday's town hall, re-stated Saturday the civil rights group wants the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the Spartanburg County Detention Facility.

"We can no longer sit back and ignore the amount of people that have died in these jails," National Racial Justice Network CEO James Johnson said. "When our loved ones go into these jails, we don't expect them to come out in body bags. Enough is enough."

Beverly Laid said the family also plans to pursue and advocate for state legislative action for more mental health support. Members of Lavell Lane's family have stated he had schizophrenia and mental health issues.

The Racial Justice Network held a Town Hall meeting at the Kingdom New Life Deliverance Church in Spartanburg on April 1, 2023. During the meeting, members of the public talked about the fight for social justice in America. Elder James Johnson, left, and Dr, Candace Brewer, National President of the Racial Justice Network listen to public.
The Racial Justice Network held a Town Hall meeting at the Kingdom New Life Deliverance Church in Spartanburg on April 1, 2023. During the meeting, members of the public talked about the fight for social justice in America. Elder James Johnson, left, and Dr, Candace Brewer, National President of the Racial Justice Network listen to public.

Lane died inside the Detention Center hours after being arrested for walking in the middle of Chesnee Highway. His family has criticized what they've called a lack of transparency in the case. They have protested at the jail multiple times since his death.

"I go to sleep, I wake up every day with my son on my heart, in my mind," Beverly Lane said Saturday. "Not one day passes I don't cry."

A letter reviewed by The Herald-Journal from the SC Attorney General's office to SLED Chief Mark Keel declined prosecution of charges related to Lane's death. The letter, signed by Assistant Attorney General Jerrod Fussnecker, said there is no evidence to contradict Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger's ruling that Lane died due to neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

"That is lies," Beverly Lane said Saturday. Lane added that she was not contacted by officials and she only found out today that no criminal charges would be filed in the jail death of her son.

Upstate law enforcement officers and community leaders and elected officials held an open meeting to talk about understanding each others points of view. The meeting was held at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center in Greenville on March 30, 2023. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright talks about working with community.
Upstate law enforcement officers and community leaders and elected officials held an open meeting to talk about understanding each others points of view. The meeting was held at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center in Greenville on March 30, 2023. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright talks about working with community.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright addressed the closure of Lane's case publicly for the first time Thursday evening at a panel discussion in Greenville between Upstate law enforcement, activists and members of the community.

"We got a letter from SLED yesterday that said that there was no wrongdoing with our department, he passed of some medical condition," Wright said.

The Herald-Journal has filed a Freedom of Information request seeking additional documents relating to the investigation.

Johnson said Wright had "a lot to be held accountable for."

"Too many people died in your jail before (the National Racial Justice Network) ever brought it up," Johnson said. "You need to be held accountable."

Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporter for The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her on Twitter @maconatkinson. 

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Family responds after SLED closes Spartanburg jail death investigation