S.C. Gubernatorial Candidate Seeks Dismissal of Charges

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The highly publicized case involving Democratic governor candidate Mullins McLeod went before a judge on Thursday. McLeod's attorney, Scott Bischoff, argued for the case's dismissal, citing inconsistencies with law enforcement policies on similar cases, how they released video and the official police report itself. Bischoff disputes the police report's claims and argues that McLeod was suffering from a 'health event' and should have been treated, not arrested.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and political candidates, as well as the challenges of balancing public transparency and individual privacy when it comes to the release of video evidence. The outcome could have significant implications for McLeod's gubernatorial campaign.

The details

McLeod was arrested in May of last year when officers responded to a report of a man causing a disturbance at The Battery in downtown Charleston. The police report states officers arrived to find McLeod in his underwear, yelling and acting erratically. However, Bischoff disputes this account, saying McLeod was wearing flip-flops and shorts with pockets. The defense also argues that the police only released the dash cam footage and not the footage from the officers' body cameras, which they say reveals a much different story.

• On May 2022, McLeod was arrested at The Battery in downtown Charleston.
• On March 13, 2026, the case went before a judge for a motions hearing.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge did not dismiss the case, but agreed that the defense should have access to the internal affairs documents for the officers who responded to the incident.