Investigation clears local authorities

Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw says a state police investigation into the death of an inmate has cleared his office and the county Detention Center of any criminal wrongdoing.  Crenshaw further says the office of the 10th Circuit Solicitor has issued a letter stating that the investigation into the death of Ernest Lee Smalley Jr. should be closed.  To avoid a conflict of interest, Crenshaw asked the state Law Enforcement Division to investigate the death of Smalley, a 33-year old Seneca resident.  Detention Center staff memb ers started CPR after finding Smalley in a correctional facility cell.  The inmate died October 27 in a Greenville hospital.  A coroner’s autopsy showed death from complications from a gastro-intestinal hemorrhage and DTs—Delirium tremens.  Smalley family members raised questions and announced during a news conference that they had hired a private pathologist to conduct a second autopsy.