On May 11, 1960, an all-black coroner's jury stated: "Daisy Mae Bates* came to her death as the result of illegal treatment administered by Mozelle Peggy Jean Jordan, causing massive hemorrhage and shock." They recommended that she be held over for grand jury action in the abortion death. Both Jordan and Bates were also black.
Minnie Scott, who lived on Katy Street, said that Daisy had used her phone book to look up the phone number of Jordan, though she didn't say why. Jordan was described by The (Columbia, S.C.) State as "an employee at a local Negro nursing home." Thus she might have had some medical training and/or access to medical equipment or medicines.
Ester Lawrence, who had known Daisy for a short time, said that on May 3 Daisy had told her that she was three months pregnant and that she felt ill. On two occasions, Ester admitted, she had taken Daisy to Mozelle Jordan's home at 5973 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC. The first time, Jordan had given Daisy a pill and a prescription. On the second visit Jordan had come out to Ester's car and told Daisy to say that if she went to the hospital she should say that she'd had a miscarriage.
Ester said that Daisy had paid Jordan $25 for the abortion.
Jordan, age 41, originally admitted that she had seen Daisy but denied that she had ever laid hands on her. She later pleaded guilty to having performed the abortion on May 2. She was sentenced to five years but it was suspended to 18 months and three years of probation.
*Daisy's middle name is given as Mae in all news coverage but is listed as Lee on her death certificate.
- Death certificate No. 60 008117
- "Doubleheader Inquest Set For Wednesday," The (Columbia, S.C.) State, May 10, 1960
- "Inquest Holds Woman After Abortion Case," The (Columbia, S.C.) State, May 12, 1960
- “Two Abortion Indictments Are Slated,” The (Columbia, S.C.) State, June 8, 1960
- "Woman Pleads Guilty Here in Abortion Death," The (Columbia, S.C.) State, September 2, 1960
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