Local CBS affiliate WCSC Live 5 News has been recognized by Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) for excellence in the field of investigative reporting. The Live 5 News team was honored for a series of investigations following the death of Jamal Sutherland, a man with mental illness who was tased, pepper sprayed, and subsequently died while in the custody of the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
The Live 5 News investigative team produced dozens of original reports, beginning with the revelation of Sutherland's death behind bars in January 2021. Follow-up reports by Live 5 revealed new information about the employment histories of the deputies involved, questions about who was in command of the jail on the night of the fatal incident, and taser training.
After multiple Freedom of Information Act requests to local and state agencies, Charleston County released bodycam footage that revealed Sutherland's final moments.
In October, Live 5 News also discovered the existence of an undercover operation known as “Project Seahawk” which monitored the social media accounts of black activists and lawmakers during protests following the release of the Sutherland video.
“Live 5 News demonstrates a daily dedication to investigative journalism,” WCSC Vice President and General Manager Dan Cates said. “We are honored to be recognized for a body of work that represents true teamwork and months of relentless reporting by our investigative team,”
The IRE Awards are the annual contest of Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. recognizing the nation's best in investigative reporting.
