Criminal Justice
Prominent South Carolina lawyer arrested for allegedly yelling in public while clad only in underwear
A prominent South Carolina lawyer allegedly identified himself as “Superman” and “God” when he was arrested for erratic behavior last week. (Photo from Shutterstock)
A prominent South Carolina lawyer allegedly identified himself as “Superman” and “God” when he was arrested for erratic behavior last week, according to local news coverage of the incident.
William Mullins McLeod Jr., 53, of Charleston, South Carolina, was arrested May 15 after he was allegedly “yelling at the top of his lungs” while wearing only underwear and shoes in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, according to an incident report cited by the news media.
McLeod was charged with disorderly conduct, report the Post and Courier, WCIV and WCBD.
McLeod’s lawyer, Shaun Kent, attributed the incident to a mental health episode and exhaustion, according to the Post and Courier.
Speaking at a bond hearing, Kent said McLeod’s family told him that the lawyer was preparing for an upcoming trial and had not slept in a week. McLeod, who made an unsuccessful run for South Carolina governor as a Democrat in 2010, was also feeling political pressure, Kent said.
Kent said he could not discuss future plans by McLeod in connection with a potential run for governor in 2026.
“I’m just wanting to make sure that he gets the help that is necessary, as does anybody,” he said.
McLeod was allowed to be released on his own recognizance provided that he is admitted to a mental health program.
McLeod, an attorney with the McLeod Law Group, has been involved in several high-profile cases. He has helped obtain millions of dollars in settlements in negligence and civil rights suits, according to his website.
According to the Post and Courier, McLeod was “a key player” in litigation that secured an $88 million settlement in connection with a white supremacist’s 2015 mass shooting that killed nine people at a church in Charleston.
The federal government agreed to pay victims’ families and survivors to settle claims that the FBI negligently failed to stop a gun sale to the shooter.
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