Laurens, South Carolina – A Laurens man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for orchestrating a brutal assault on another man suspected of being a police informant. Marcus Tyrone Grant, 46, was convicted following a trial led by 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo. The jury found Grant guilty of assault and battery by a mob, as well as kidnapping, after deliberating until 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Grant’s sentence includes 18 years of active prison time and five years of probation upon release. Due to the serious nature of the crimes, he is not eligible for parole, given his extensive criminal history dating back to 1998.
The inciting incident occurred in January 2021 when officers responded to a shooting at the Spring Street apartments in Laurens. The victim, Jarius Byrd, had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Further investigation revealed that Byrd had been held captive at gunpoint by Grant, Antone “Cheese” Blakely, and others earlier that evening. Grant proceeded to viciously assault Byrd, inflicting severe injuries, in retaliation for Byrd’s past cooperation with law enforcement in a narcotics case in 2010.
Shortly after the assault, officers were once again called to the Spring Street apartments, where Blakely fatally shot Byrd. Blakely faced his own trial and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Solicitor Stumbo, along with Deputy Solicitor Joshua Thomas, handled both cases, working closely with law enforcement to secure convictions. Grant, represented by Hunter Blouin, was ultimately held accountable for his violent actions.
Solicitor Stumbo commended the collaborative efforts of his team, the Laurens Police Department, and lead investigator Sgt. Billy Sellers in bringing justice to individuals like Marcus Grant. In his closing statements during the trial, Solicitor Stumbo highlighted the importance of standing together against violent criminals who seek to silence cooperation with law enforcement. The outcome of the trial serves as a reminder of the tireless dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors in upholding justice in the community.