Sheriff Leon Lott Faces Gag Order

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) — Whether a Midlands sheriff will be silenced by law in the Gabrielle Swainson case sits in the hands of a judge. A judge in a gag order case filed against Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott by the the attorney for kidnapping suspect 52-year-old Freddie Grant, is taking evidence she received at Friday morning’s hearing ‘under advisement.’ The Honorable DeAndrea Benjamin heard arguments from both sides. The gag order would limit the comments the sheriff could make about missing teen Gabrielle Swainson, and more specifically, the comments he makes about Grant himself. Grant’s attorney, public defender Fielding Pringle, said that certain comments could negatively influence a potential jury pool. Attorneys for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department argued that the comments Lott used are in an effort to bring Gabrielle Swainson home. Authorities believe Grant used a key to enter the Swainson home back on August 18th, and forcibly took Gabbiee from her bedroom. A decision on the gag order could come as early as next week.