Inmate Sentenced To Prison For Role In Deadly Riot

Miles Ruder, Trish Williford,

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. – A man will spend 40 years behind bars for killing another inmate in South Carolina.

Michael Smith was convicted of contributing to the killing of Cornelius McClary during the deadly prison riots at Lee Correctional Institution back in 2018.

During pre-trial motions earlier this week, Smith’s attorney changed their defense from stand your ground to self defense.

Dozens of inmates have already been indicted and charged in relation to the riots. Some of the inmates pleaded guilty over the summer.

Smith was the first to go to trial.