The Post and Courier released a powerful five-part investigation called “Caught in the Cycle.” This series shines a dark light on how our local jails handle—and often fail—people struggling with mental illness. The numbers are heartbreaking. Over the last ten years, more than 100 inmates with mental health needs died while in custody in South Carolina.
Evans Moore, LLC had the honor of representing the families of four men featured in this report:
- D’Angelo Brown
- Kevin Gordon
- Lorenza Trapp
- Forrest Kreider
These men did not belong in a jail cell. They needed doctors, medicine, and professional care. Instead, the system met them with neglect and violence. We believe no family should have to bury a loved one because a jail refused to provide basic medical treatment.
Our Role in Bringing These Stories to Light
Our team worked closely with The Post and Courier to make this investigation possible. We believe that public awareness is the first step toward real change. To help the reporters uncover the truth, we shared information from our legal files and connected them with families who have suffered firsthand.
One of those voices belongs to our client, Derrick Gordon. Derrick’s bravery in speaking about his brother, Kevin, helps people understand that these are not just “inmates”—they are brothers, sons, and friends who were left behind by a broken system.
Kevin Gordon’s Story: A “Gentle Giant” Lost to Neglect
One of the most painful stories in the series is that of Kevin Gordon. His brother, Derrick Gordon, describes Kevin as a “gentle giant.” Kevin lived with chronic schizophrenia. In 2018, he ended up in a hospital emergency room while having a mental health episode. Instead of keeping him for treatment, a psychiatrist decided Kevin would be “better served in jail.”
This decision changed everything. Once Kevin was behind bars in Florence County, his health quickly got worse. Jail staff did not see a man in a mental health crisis; they saw an “unruly” inmate.
According to jail records and our legal investigation:
- Deputies pepper-sprayed Kevin through the flap of his cell door.
- Staff used Tasers on him and put him in a restraint chair.
- Kevin told officers he was scared of the dark and saw spiders biting him.
- Instead of helping him, the staff told him to “calm down.”
The neglect reached a horrific peak in October 2018. An officer found Kevin on the floor of his cell, covered in filth. He was so sick he couldn’t even sign a form. Less than 24 hours later, Kevin died. An autopsy found that he died from a bowel obstruction because, in his state of psychosis, he had eaten pieces of his mattress.
Kevin’s death was preventable. He needed a hospital bed, not a jail cell.
The Systemic Failure of “Jail as a Hospital”
Derrick Gordon recently sat down for a video interview to share the reality of losing his brother. He noted that while Kevin wasn’t perfect, his “main issue was his mental illness.” Derrick’s words highlight a problem that hasn’t stopped since Kevin died. Jails in Charleston, Florence, and Columbia continue to act as makeshift mental health wards, but they lack the tools or the will to provide care.
When a jail takes someone into custody, they take on a legal duty. They must provide for the person’s basic needs, including medical and mental health care. When they use isolation and force instead of treatment, they violate the person’s rights.
Common signs of neglect in these cases include:
- Ignoring a doctor’s diagnosis or treatment plan.
- Using physical restraints as a first resort for mental health symptoms.
- Failing to monitor inmates on suicide watch or in isolation.
- Denying access to necessary psychiatric medication.
Our work with The Post and Courier aims to bring these failures into the public eye. We want to make sure these stories aren’t buried along with the victims.
To learn more about the investigation and the systemic issues facing our state, we encourage you to read the series.
Holding the System Accountable
We believe that every person deserves dignity, regardless of their mental health status or whether they are behind bars. The settlement reached for the Gordon family is one step toward justice, but it does not bring Kevin back. It does, however, send a clear message: neglect has a price.
If you have a loved one who suffered or died due to a lack of mental health care or misconduct in a South Carolina jail, you do not have to face this alone. These cases are difficult, but your family deserves answers and a voice. We are here to help you hold the right people accountable and fight for the changes our justice system desperately needs.
Contact Evans Moore, LLC today to share your story. Call (843) 995-5000 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation.