WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Lancaster Sheriff's Office: Deceased inmate stabbed officers with sharpened pencils

Lancaster Sheriff's Office: Deceased inmate stabbed officers with sharpened pencils

(Lancaster-AP) Aug. 1, 2005 - Two inmates at the Lancaster County jail say they saw officers use Tasers, mace and a baton to subdue an inmate who died during the struggle. On Monday, the Lancaster Sheriff's Office spoke about what happened that day.

Maurice Cunningham died last Saturday, July 23rd. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office says Maury Cunningham attacked the correctional officers with two sharpened pencils after a female officer attempted to take a shaving razor from him.

They say the female officer, 24, was the first to be attacked after she opened his cell door. She approached the door alone while other officers were at the front desk, and Cunningham stabbed her in the face.

Then they say Cunningham chased the officer back toward the front desk while the second officer came to her aid. The second officer, age 51, received the most serious of the injuries, a severe stab wound to the face. He spent four days at Springs Memorial Hospital.

In the report, the Sheriff's Office says the third officer wrestled Cunningham off of the second, but Cunningham "gouged the eyes" of the officer. That's when they say the fourth officer used the taser. At that point, according to the report, the female officer called for help from patrol deputies and EMS.

The office says a second taser cartridge and pepper spray were used, and then the third officer was able to put handcuffs and leg irons on Cunningham. The office says that the four officers were never engaged with Cunningham all at once, and they also deny that a wooden baton in the possession of one of the officers was used in the struggle.

After the attack, Maury Cunningham was pronounced dead at the Lancaster County Detention Center. The Sheriff’s Office says they have cooperated fully with SLED investigation and will continue to do so.

An autopsy was performed on July 24 at the Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston. The autopsy revealed no signs of blunt force trauma, no bruising, no loss of blood, and cause of death was undetermined. Toxicology tests and other tests are pending.

Cunningham was in the jail on charges of assault and battery with intent to kill. On June 19, Cunningham attacked two cellmates and was charged with two counts of assault and battery. Cunningham was placed on 30-day lockdown and moved to a private holding cell on June 20.

Updated 5:40pm by Bryce Mursch