Testimony continues in Day 2 of inmate Larry White trial

BISHOPVILLE, SC (WOLO) — Day two of the trial for former Lee Correctional Institution inmate Larry White got underway Tuesday morning in Bishopville.

Thirty-year-old White is accused of killing three inmates during what’s known as the deadliest prison riot in South Carolina history — leaving seven prisoners dead and dozens injured.

The self-proclaimed gang member faces three counts of first-degree assault and battery, which according to the SC Department of Corrections, is equivalent to a murder charge — and carries the same penalties.

Multiple witnesses were called to the stand on Tuesday including Yard Sergeant and Lieutenant William Burley III — who testified that inmates having “homemade weapons” were a common occurrence.

“Most of the time an inmate with a weapon is using it to either instill fear or take advantage of another inmate,” says Burley. “I think you testified there were a lot of weapons at Lee Corrections?” asks Prosecutor Barney Giese. “Yes,” responds Burley. “So there’s a lot of fear there too?” Burley then nods his head yes.

The prosecution focused much of the morning on showing the 12 jurors video that took place before the riot — pointing to White on screen during the process.

However, White maintains that while he was part of the mob, he did not harm anyone.

Before video captured during the riot was shown to jurors or the judge, White addressed Judge Ferrell Cothran directly, asking him not to show them parts of the video he and his attorneys consider prejudicial.

“(There’s) a co-defendant in my case, and I have his transcript, and he was sentenced to 30 years just for being there, so if he got 30 years just for being there, what’s the point in showing somebody getting stabbed?” asks White.

Judge Cothran ultimately allowed the jurors to see video from during the riot, adding, “The jury is gonna determine whether you were there participating in the mob.”

At one point during the trial, Giese explained a portion of the video to jurors saying, “He (White) straddles one of the victims, and then strikes him 16 times…He makes a celebratory gesture, and goes back into his pod.”

SLED Lieutenant Jamie Shaw also testified that part of the video shows White carrying a homemade weapon in each hand, walking back inside the prison after allegedly assaulting other inmates.

After the riot, White was moved to Perry Correctional Institution in Pelzner near Greenville. The trial is expected to last through the week, and will get underway again Wednesday morning.