18 May Newington Press Release

May 18, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO TEACHER ASSISTANTS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT

Summerville, SC – Two former teacher assistants at Newington Elementary School have been arrested for violently assaulting an 11-year-old special needs student. The minor child, who is non-verbal and deaf, was assaulted in the autism room the morning of May 8 and May 10, 2023. Both incidents were captured on video surveillance and provided to the Summerville Police Department.

On May 10, 2023, Emily Westermann is seen grabbing the special needs student from behind and shoving the child while lifting her fist, causing him to lose his balance. She then shoves the student to the ground before exiting the classroom. A short time later, Westermann was escorted off the premises. She was arrested on May 16, 2023 and charged with Assault & Battery 3rd Degree.

Further investigations revealed a separate assault on May 8, 2023. Patricia Fuller, a teacher’s aide, is seen pinching and pushing the special needs student before forcefully grabbing him by the neck and shoving him into his chair. While seated, Fuller continued to violently grab the student by the neck and jaw. As the assault progresses, the student continues to flinch and scream in fear while raising his arms into a defensive posture. Fuller continues to scream in the student’s face while rolling up her sleeves before being removed from the classroom. Fuller was arrested on May 18, 2023 and charged with Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child, a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison.

On behalf of the family of the special needs child, The Peper Law Firm, PA of Charleston, SC, issued the following statement:

“As parents, we expect our children to be safe from harm when we walk them into school each morning. To violently attack any student for any reason is intolerable; to attack a non-verbal, deaf, special needs student out of pure frustration is unforgivable. We intend to hold these individuals and those responsible for their employ accountable with the same wrath of fury directed upon them.”

03 Mar Seacoast Press Release

March 3, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTIMS RESPOND TO ARREST OF FORMER SEACOAST YOUTH PASTOR

Charleston, SC – A former youth pastor at Seacoast Church has been arrested on 13 counts of Assault & Battery 2nd degree. He is currently detained at the Al Cannon Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 10am.

In December 2022, Seacoast Church placed its Youth Pastor, Vernon Willis, on administrative leave after multiple minors reported being touched inappropriately by Willis while attending youth group at Seacoast Church in North Charleston, SC. Following an internal investigation, Seacoast families were informed in a letter dated December 14, 2022 of his ultimate termination and encouraged to report any concerns to Seacoast Executive Team members.

With the assistance of the North Charleston Police Department, forensic evaluations were conducted on multiple minor children, culminating in arrest warrants being issued and served on Mr. Willis.

“Immediately upon being retained by these families, The Peper Law Firm initiated an investigation into the acts of Mr. Willis and Seacoast Church. Our investigation confirmed that Seacoast Church allowed Mr. Willis unfettered access to one-on-one contact with multiple female minors without any supervision, all while acting within the course and scope of his employment. Further, Seacoast had direct knowledge of his proclivity to use his role as youth pastor to unlawfully touch and seclude minor females on the church campus as far back as 2020, yet continued his employ without providing any training or supervision. Seacoast Church had the ability to protect these innocent children and purposely failed to do so. This is intolerable, and the families intend to hold Mr. Willis and Seacoast responsible for their actions and inactions.”

For media inquiries, please contact:
The Peper Law Firm, PA – 843-225-2520 / mark@peperlawfirm.com

15 Aug Evans Press Release

August 15, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVANS FAMILY ANNOUNCES FILING OF LAWSUIT AGAINST LAURENS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Laurens, SC – In response to the agreement reached between the Estate of Jamal Sutherland and the government entities announced at last evening’s Charleston County Council meeting, the family of Jamal Sutherland offers the following:

Justice for Jamal will come in many forms. We are pleased to have negotiated a settlement with the government entities that provides the type of civil justice he deserves, but our work is not yet done. With God’s help, we will continue the necessary conversations with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure that everyone affected by mental illness is treated with the same dignity and respect we all deserve and demand. As we move forward, please continue to pray for our family, our community, each other, and justice for Jamal.

While the agreement announced last evening resolves the claims against the government entities and their individual employees, to include the City of North Charleston, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and Charleston County, Attorney Mark A. Peper and Attorney Gary Christmas intend to aggressively pursue litigation against all others responsible for Jamal’s tragic death, to include Palmetto Behavioral Health and the third-party medical provider at the Charleston County jail, Wellpath.

For media inquiries, please contact the Evans family via their counsel:
The Peper Law Firm, PA – 843-225-2520 – mark@peperlawfirm.com
Henderson Law Group – 843-884-6855 – rhmyers@hendersonlawgroupsc.com

07 Aug Damon Doyle Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2019

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

Family of Slain SCDC Inmate Hires Attorney

Charleston, SC – The family of Damon Latroy Doyle, 43, has retained The Peper Law Firm, PA to investigate the circumstances of his death Monday at Broad River Correctional Facility in Columbia, SC.

As evidenced by the video taken by a fellow inmate, which can be viewed here, Mr. Doyle was beaten with a broom stick and stabbed numerous times by upwards of six inmates at the high-security prison. Three correctional officers stationed nearby failed to intervene; one of whom turned his back and walked away. Mr. Doyle was pronounced dead at Richland Memorial Hospital hours later.

“The video speaks for itself; this was a planned attack by violent, unsupervised inmates. Not a single correctional officer at the high-security prison made the slightest attempt to prevent the attack, intervene, or render aid. They simply walked away with no concern for his well being or the safety of the other inmates,” said Attorney Mark Peper.

Peper plans to fully investigate the incident and share his findings with the family, public, and state lawmakers.

“My brother deserves better. Just because someone commits a crime and goes to prison doesn’t mean they deserve to die and it seems like that’s what every prison inmate is faced with recently, a death sentence,” said Doyle’s brother, Gerard Doyle.

The Peper Law Firm is a criminal defense and personal injury law firm in Charleston, South Carolina.

www.PeperLawFirm.com

02 Jan Gethers Press Release

January 2, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF MINOR VICTIM OF FORMER CCSD EMPLOYEE MARVIN GETHERS
PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 12 NOON JANUARY 2, 2019 AT 75 CALHOUN ST. CHARLESTON, SC 29401

John Doe, a minor under the age of eleven years old, by his parents, Mother and Father Doe vs. Charleston County School District; City of North Charleston; and Alton Cannon, in his Capacity as Sheriff of Charleston County.

Charleston, SC – The Peper Law Firm, PA and David Aylor Law Offices filed a lawsuit this morning on behalf of a former first grade student at Dunston Elementary who was physically and sexually assaulted by former CCSD employee Marvin Gethers on multiple occasions in 2013–2014. A press conference to discuss the factual allegations contained therein will be held at 12 noon today at 75 Calhoun Street Charleston, SC 29401.

As alleged in the filed complaint, Gethers downloaded and viewed thousands of pornographic images and videos, including child pornography, on his CCSD-issued laptop while working as a Student Concern Specialist at Dunston. Upon being notified of same, CCSD allowed Gethers to return to work after five (5) days of paid administrative leave, where he would then sexually assault at least three (3) minor victims, including John Doe. During the twenty-three (23) months it took law enforcement to finally confirm what CCSD already knew, Gethers was promoted and provided a new iPad, professional development bonus, and use of a new automobile after being named “Classified Employee of the Year” for the 2013–2014 school year by CCSD.

Lead attorney Mark A. Peper, Sr. filed the lawsuit and stated, “These tragic events would not have occurred but for the multiple acts of gross negligence by those responsible for his training and supervision and their conspiracy to cover it up. This case is not about the lion, but the individuals that let the lion lock these innocent children in his cage.”

The complaint, which is available at https://peperlawfirm.com/in-the-news/ is filed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Charleston County, South Carolina and demands a jury trial against all Defendants.

20 Sep Burke High School Press Release

WWW.PEPERLAWFIRM.COM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2018

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AFTER BURKE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER COERCES MINOR STUDENT TO PERFORM SEX ACTS FOR BETTER GRADES

Charleston, S.C. – The Peper Law Firm, PA filed a lawsuit today on behalf of a former Burke High School student alleging the Charleston County School District failed to protect the minor from a teacher who coerced the student into performing repeated sexual acts. The complaint further alleges the teacher lowered the grade of the student after resisting the teacher’s continuous sexual advances.

The complaint brings two causes of action against the Charleston County School District: gross negligence and recklessness; and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Attorney Mark A. Peper released the following statement:

“Where the safety, protection, and well-being of our students is paramount, acts such as these and others by employees under the direct supervision of the CCSD are outrageous, and must be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable. If the District won’t fix the problem, the Courts will.”

The complaint, which is available here, is filed at the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Charleston County, South Carolina.

THE PEPER LAW FIRM, PA
548 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407
843.225.2520 (O)
843.225.2554 (F)

29 Mar Van Dyke Press Release

March 29, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Aylor – 843-577-5530

Father of Deceased Colleton County Fifth Grader Seeks Answers

Press Conference Scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2019 at 11:00am

Charleston, SC – Attorneys David Aylor and Mark Peper issued the following statement on behalf of Jermaine Van Dyke, the father of 10-year-old Raniya Wright, who died of injuries sustained from a fight at Forest Hills Elementary School in Walterboro.

“To date, Jermaine Van Dyke has been provided no pertinent information from school officials or local law enforcement regarding the death of his daughter while in the custody and care of the school district. Rightfully so, he is distraught and frustrated by their lack of communication and refusal to allow him access to any videos or investigative findings related to this matter. Mr. Van Dyke would like to thank the community for their support and prayers during these very difficult times and vows to fight for the answers his family and this community deserves,” said attorney David Aylor.

A press conference will be held Monday, April 1, 2019 at 11:00am at the front of Forest Hills Elementary School, at which time the attorneys will update the community on the results of their investigation and present Mr. Van Dyke for brief comments.

Press Conference Details:

• Date: Monday, April 1, 2019
• Time: 11:00am
• Where: Forest Hills Elementary School, 663 Hiers Corner Road, Walterboro, SC 29488

03 Aug Tyler Kim Press Release

August 3, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

THE PEPER LAW FIRM, PA FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY ON BEHALF OF FORMER COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STUDENT FOR ACTS THAT LED TO HIS SEVERE BEATING

Tyler Kim vs. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity; Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity; Pi Kappa Phi Properties; Richard M. Pierce, Individually and in his Official Capacity as Alpha Chapter Advisor; Brooke M. Kingsley Isbell, Individually and in her Official Capacity as Pi Kappa Phi Director of Prevention Education; Justin Angotti, Individually and in his Official Capacity as Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Assistant Executive Director of Education & Accountability; Sean Daily; Matthew Louge; Nikos Lara; and Steve Leone.

Charleston, SC – The Peper Law Firm, PA filed a lawsuit this week on behalf of a former student at the College of Charleston who was severely beaten by brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity on April 16, 2017.

As alleged in the filed complaint, Pi Kappa Phi hosted an initiation party wherein it provided copious amounts of alcohol and illegal drugs to its members and guests. After forcefully kicking the student out of the party, members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity threatened to kill him, both orally and in writing, and dispatched four of its members to do so. They broke into the student’s house and physically beat him to a pulp, leaving him unconscious.

Following the lynching, the student was held captive to prevent him from filing a police report or seeking medical treatment.

Lead attorney Mark A. Peper filed the lawsuit and stated, “The results of our research in preparation for filing this lawsuit is shocking. We believe we will prove this organization has created an ‘anything goes’ custom and culture by encouraging excessive drug and alcohol use, hazing, acts of extreme violence, and a sole mission to protect the interests and image of Pi Kappa Phi at all costs.”

The complaint, which is available at www.peperlawfirm.com/blog, is filed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Charleston County, South Carolina and demands a jury trial against all Defendants.

17 May Goose Creek HS Student Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 17, 2017

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

Attorneys of Goose Creek High School Student Raise Additional Concerns Regarding School’s Cell Phone Policies

Charleston, SC – Mark A. Peper and David Aylor, attorneys for a 16-year-old Goose Creek High School student who was filmed in a bathroom stall on school property by a fellow student, sent a letter to the attorney for Berkeley County School District outlining the gross negligence demonstrated by faculty and administrators at GCHS in regards to the school’s cell phone recording policies.

The video footage of the incident was posted by a student to the popular social media application, Snapchat.

In the letter, attorney Mark A. Peper asserts that after speaking with various students, parents, and faculty members, and despite school policy that expressly prohibits the use of electronic devices to record any student or staff member at school, the practice of unauthorized cell phone recording by students is the custom and culture at Goose Creek High School.

“In speaking with various students, parents and faculty members this week, it cannot be disputed that unauthorized cell phone use by students during the school day is the custom and culture at Goose Creek High School, which can only be attributed to the actual or tacit approval of the entire administration, and specifically, Principal Jimmy Huskey, since deviating from the policies, procedures, and rules requires prior permission from the principal himself. In speaking with the School Resource Officer assigned to GCHS, I am confident that we can prove the school was on actual notice of students’ habitual use of cell phones to record daily events, and further, that the use of cell phones to record students, teachers and faculty has become so customary that it is considered condoned by the Principal himself.”

Additionally, attorney Peper points to the fact that Goose Creek High School’s own website still lists the cell phone policies of the previous academic school year, which prohibits even the possession of cell phones during the school day, as proof of the custom and culture regarding cell phone recordings at the school.

In the letter, attorneys Peper and Aylor state their intention to file a lawsuit against the Berkeley County School District if immediate steps are not taken on or before May 24, 2017 to amicably resolve this matter.

The letter from attorney Mark A. Peper to the Berkeley County School District is attached to this press release.

31 Mar Salvation Army Press Release

March 31, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Ellis Roberts – 843-277-6655
ellis@mcleod-lawgroup.com

Press Release Issued by McLeod Law Group on Behalf of Mother and Father Doe

CHARLESTON, SC – On March 20, 2017, McLeod Law Group filed a civil lawsuit in the matter of Jane Doe, a minor under the age of eleven years old, by her parents, Mother and Father Doe, vs. The Salvation Army; The Salvation Army Southern Territory, A Georgia Corporation; Thomas Louden; Mabel Shuler; Thomas Richmond; and Christopher Thornhill.

Following the filing, the Salvation Army, its officers, and employees issued a public statement which in part read as follows: “From the moment The Salvation Army heard the allegation, our first priority has been the care and well-being of those affected and their families,” and “Upon hearing the report, the Salvation Army corps officer immediately contacted law enforcement and encouraged the family to seek medical attention at the local hospital.”

While neither the McLeod Law Group nor the Peper Law Firm are in a position to comment on what could be disputed facts in the lawsuit, the family does have the right to issue this release through their attorneys and are doing so in an attempt to correct what Mother and Father Doe believe to be incorrect public statements.

Per Mother and Father Doe, these public statements by the Salvation Army were a slap in their face because they were incorrect, self-serving, misleading, and did a disservice to an innocent child. Mother and Father Doe were in hopes the Salvation Army would voluntarily retract these public comments. Because it has been over one week and the Salvation Army has not voluntarily retracted these public comments, Mother and Father Doe request the following:

Mother Doe:
“I am shocked and upset that The Salvation Army has failed to retract their news release of last week, especially since it contained so many incorrect statements. For one, contrary to their statement, I personally made the call to 911 to report what my daughter had told me on October 18, 2015. Further, it is not true that they immediately banned the employees that did this to my daughter. They only did so several days later, after my daughter expressed concern about other children being assaulted. Finally, they claim that, ‘our first priority has been the care and well-being of those affected and their families,’ but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Instead of helping us, they turned their back on us. They simply don’t care what happened to my daughter and refuse to be held accountable, which is why I filed a lawsuit on her behalf. Only when they are forced to be held accountable for their actions will justice be served. The Salvation Army should be ashamed of themselves, and immediately retract their statement.”

Father Doe:
“Once we reported that our daughter had been sexually assaulted for the last 5 years at The Salvation Army, I ran into Major Tom Richmond and told him he needed to call my wife. To this day, he has not reached out to her. Their statement says they encouraged us to do something, when in fact, they have never spoken to us. They should immediately retract their statement.”