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

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.

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)

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

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.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2017
Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606
tyler@speakstrategic.com

STATEMENT FROM MARK A. PEPER, ATTORNEY FOR GOOSE CREEK SHOOTING VICTIMS

Charleston, SC – Mark A. Peper, attorney for the victims in the Goose Creek shooting that occurred earlier tonight, released the following statement on behalf of the shooting victims:

“After complaining of noisy kids in the street, a neighbor opened fire late this afternoon. They believe the intended target was their 8 year old grandson and 1 year old granddaughter who was in the arms of her mother as they walked in front of their residence on Gator Drive. The female homeowner, 57, was hit once in the chest.  The male homeowner, 48, was shot in the upper back and arm as he shielded his family from additional gunfire. Both victims were transported to Trident Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. The family is pleased with the quick response from members of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and emergency personnel, and appreciates the community’s continued prayers and support.”

For Immediate Release
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 prohibit 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.

Interview requests for Mark A. Peper, Esq, should be sent to Tyler Jones at tyler@speakstrategic.com. 

 

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.