Laurens, South Carolina – A Laurens man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of leading a brutal assault on another man suspected of being an informant, announced 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo.
Marcus Tyrone Grant, 46, was found guilty of assault and battery by a mob and kidnapping by a Laurens County jury. The verdict was reached late Wednesday evening, with Grant receiving a sentence of 30 years in prison, 18 of which will be active followed by five years of probation upon release. Due to the violent and serious nature of the crimes, Grant will not be eligible for parole.
The incident began in January 2021 when officers responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment on Spring Street in Laurens. The victim, Jarius Byrd, had been shot multiple times. Further investigation revealed that Byrd had been assaulted by Grant, Antone “Cheese” Blakely, and others earlier that evening. Byrd was held captive at gunpoint in his apartment while Grant brutally assaulted him, resulting in severe injuries. The attack was motivated by Byrd’s past cooperation with law enforcement, which led to a prior narcotics conviction for Grant in 2010.
Following the assault, officers were called back to the same location where Byrd had been shot. Blakely was identified as the shooter and later convicted for Byrd’s murder. Solicitor Stumbo and his team, along with the Laurens Police Department, worked diligently to secure convictions in both cases, ensuring that violent offenders like Grant and Blakely face justice.
Grant’s defense was handled by Hunter Blouin of the Greenville County Bar. During the trial, Solicitor Stumbo emphasized the importance of standing up against individuals like Grant who seek to intimidate those cooperating with law enforcement. The collaboration between law enforcement and legal professionals played a crucial role in bringing Grant to justice and securing a lengthy prison sentence.
Moving forward, Solicitor Stumbo reiterated his commitment to working alongside law enforcement to hold violent criminals accountable and protect the community from individuals like Marcus Grant.