Charleston attorney charged with disorderly conduct for ‘erratic behavior’ along downtown Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Charleston-area attorney was charged with disorderly conduct this week after authorities say he was behaving erratically near the Battery.

William “Mullins” McLeod, 53, was arrested on May 15 after he was found “yelling at the top of his lungs” while walking in the area of King Street and Murray Boulevard. He was wearing only underwear and shoes at the time, according to a report from the Charleston Police Department.

Officers reportedly attempted to calm McLeod down, but he continued to yell and flail his arms as police tried to handcuff him.  

The report states that McLeod did not immediately identify himself to authorities, referring to himself at separate times as “Superman” and “God.”

He was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center shortly before 1 a.m., where the report notes he “continued to ramble incoherently and at one point lashed out and kicked another prisoner.”

The report stated that McLeod’s eyes were “extremely bloodshot and highly dilated,” and he was sweating profusely.

“[Responding officer] knows these symptoms to be typical of an individual under the influence of a stimulant narcotic due to his training and experience,” the report continued.  

McLeod is a personal injury attorney with the McLeod Law Group, which has four offices across the state.

He has been involved in several high-profile cases, including helping to secure an $88 million settlement for victims of the 2015 shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church.

McLeod ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Democrat in 2010 and served two terms as chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party.

He is said to be considering another bid for governor in 2026, sources told News 2.

McLeod was still being held in the jail as of Friday afternoon, records show.