LAURENS, South Carolina – A Laurens man has been handed a 30-year prison sentence after being found guilty of leading a brutal assault on another man suspected of being an informant. Marcus Tyrone Grant, 46, was convicted by a Laurens County jury for assault and battery by a mob, as well as kidnapping. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, and Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox sentenced Grant to 18 years of active prison time followed by five years of probation.
The incident unfolded in January 2021 when officers responded to reports of a shooting at apartments on Spring Street. The victim, Jarius Byrd, had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Byrd had been assaulted by Grant, along with others, and held captive at gunpoint in his own apartment. The motive behind the attack stemmed from Byrd’s work as a police informant in 2010, which led to Grant’s conviction on narcotics charges and subsequent imprisonment.
Approximately 45 minutes after the assault, another shooting occurred at the same location, resulting in Byrd’s death at the hands of Antone “Cheese” Blakely, one of the assailants. Blakely was later tried, convicted, and sentenced to 40 years in prison for his involvement in the crime. Solicitor David M. Stumbo and Deputy Solicitor Joshua Thomas oversaw both cases, working in conjunction with law enforcement officials to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Solicitor Stumbo commended the efforts of his team, as well as the Laurens Police Department, for their role in securing the conviction and ensuring a significant prison term for Grant. Stumbo emphasized the importance of upholding the law and protecting those who collaborate with law enforcement, stating, “We will continue to stand alongside our dedicated officers to hold violent offenders like Marcus Grant accountable for their actions.”
Grant’s extensive criminal history highlights the need for stringent measures to prevent further harm to the community. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement and legal authorities serve as a beacon of hope in ensuring that justice is served and peace is preserved in Laurens and beyond.