A sheriff in South Carolina has been acquitted by a jury of charges that he violated a jail inmate’s civil rights by instructing a deputy to use a Taser on the man. Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon was cleared of the accusations following a short deliberation by the federal jury. Lemon expressed his gratitude outside the courtroom, stating his faith in being found not guilty and thanking the Lord for the outcome.
Sheriff Lemon had been suspended after his arrest in December 2021 but is now free of all charges and eligible for reinstatement. He has confirmed that he will not seek reelection as his term ends in 2024. The incident in question took place in May 2020, when Lemon directed Deputy David Andrew Cook to utilize a Taser on the inmate multiple times as the man resisted returning to his cell. Prosecutors asserted that the number of shocks administered, six in total, was excessive and beyond standard law enforcement training.
Although Lemon was not trained to operate a Taser, he defended his actions by explaining his longstanding relationship with the inmate’s family. The inmate, who had a history of mental health issues, had been taken into custody after a violent altercation with his father. Lemon maintained that his intention was not to violate the inmate’s rights but to assist in managing the situation due to his personal connection with the family.
During the trial, an expert witness testified that using six Taser shocks on an uncooperative individual was not unreasonable. Ray Nash, a former sheriff, suggested that Lemon may have felt compelled to use the Taser given the inmate’s prior violent behavior. The deputy who carried out the Taser shocks under Lemon’s orders pleaded guilty to a federal charge and testified against the sheriff; sentencing for the deputy will be determined later.
