Gag Order Denied Against Sheriff Leon Lott

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — A judge has rejected a motion to issue a gag order against Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott regarding the highly publicized Gabrielle Swainson case; however, she warns him and all trial participants to proceed with caution moving forward. Minutes after a Judge DeAndrea Benjamin denies a gag order against Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, in the highly publicized Gabrielle Swainson case, the usually very outspoken top cop issues a written statement via a spokesperson. A spokesperson on the sheriff’s behalf tells ABC Columbia: “His focus is on finding Gabbiee. The gag order didn’t have anything to do with finding Gabbiee. Anything he said can be backed with facts. His priority is finding Gabbiee.” The judge’s ruling comes five days after she heard evidence claiming Lott was using inflammatory and damning comments in public about suspected kidnapper Freddie Grant. Gabrielle Swainson’s DNA was found at Grant’s Elgin residence, and authorities have the car they believe Grant used to abduct her. Public defender and Grant’s attorney, Fielding Pringle, argued the Sheriff’s language during repeated media coverage could potentially taint a jury pool, prohibiting a fair trial for her client. On several occasions, the sheriff referred to her client as a ‘monster’ who ‘makes me sick to my stomach.’ Lott also commented that Grant ‘had the key’ to where the 15-year-old Swainson is. However, the judge said that “pretrial publicity–even if pervasive and adverse–does not inevitably lead to an unfair trial.” She went on to say: “Although the defendant’s fundamental right to a fair trial is unquestionable, it must be balanced against the equally important first amendment right of free speech. The Sixth Amendment to a fair trial does not take precedence over the First Amendment’s right to free speech. The defendant’s motion to impose a gag order is hereby denied.” Meanwhile, the sheriff says his agencies is working 24-7 to locate Gabrielle Swainson and bring her home. If you have any information about the disappearance of Gabrielle Swainson, contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC.