Investigation Into North Charleston Inmates Death Continues, Deputies Fired

The two South Carolina Deputies involved in a death have been fired. Jamal Sutherland died after being forcibly removed from his jail cell in North Charleston in January. Footage of the incident was released last week by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and shows deputies pepper spraying and tasing Sutherland multiple times while he was resisting to leave his cell for a bail hearing.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristen Graziano said “today, I made the decision to terminate the two detention deputies involved in this case, I must weigh the interest of public safety for the community against any incident that creates even the perception of an impairment to the operation of the detention center for the safety of all residents, staff and our community.” The employees are identified as Sergeant Lindsay Fickett whose been employed since March of 2011 and Detention Deputy Brian Houle who’s been with the center since July 2016. Charleston County Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she will decide whether anyone will be criminally charged before the end of June.