Laurens, South Carolina – A Laurens man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of leading a violent assault on another individual he believed to be a police informant. Marcus Tyrone Grant, 46, was found guilty by a jury in Laurens County of assault and battery by a mob, as well as kidnapping. The jury’s decision came on Wednesday evening, with Grant receiving a 30-year prison sentence from Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox.
The assault took place in January 2021, when officers responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex on Spring Street in Laurens. The victim, Jarius Byrd, had been shot multiple times. Further investigation revealed that Byrd had been assaulted earlier that evening by Grant, Antone “Cheese” Blakely, and others. Byrd was held captive at gunpoint in his own apartment, where Grant proceeded to assault him violently. The attack was motivated by Byrd’s past cooperation with law enforcement, leading to a prior narcotics conviction for Grant.
Shortly after the assault, Blakely fatally shot Byrd at the same location. Blakely was tried and convicted separately, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. Solicitor David M. Stumbo and his team, along with the Laurens Police Department, played crucial roles in securing the convictions of both Grant and Blakely.
Stumbo commended the efforts of law enforcement and his staff in ensuring that violent criminals like Grant and Blakely face consequences for their actions. He emphasized the importance of supporting those who cooperate with authorities and upholding justice in the community. Grant’s lengthy criminal history and the severity of his offenses led to the decision to deny him parole eligibility.
Grant was represented by Hunter Blouin during the trial, which also involved 8th Circuit Investigator Jared Hunnicutt and Victim Advocate Joy Lindsay. Stumbo expressed his commitment to working collaboratively with law enforcement to bring individuals like Grant to justice, highlighting the dedication of public servants in maintaining safety and order in the community.