Dickey found guilty
Darius Dickey (center) consults with his counsel during his trial. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
Darius Dickey, who was charged with murder and attempted murder in the January 2020 shooting at Mac’s Lounge in Hartsville has been found guilty. The accused, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, marking the end of a trial that unfolded over the course of several days.
The trial commenced on a somber note with jury selection on Monday. Opening statements were heard the following day, setting the stage for a harrowing sequence of events that left three lives cut short. Six testimonies were presented to the court on Wednesday, offering a detailed account of the fateful night that claimed the lives of Dicaprio Collins, 21, and Bryan Robinson, 29, alongside Garett Bakhsh, an 18-year-old student at Coker University.
Mac’s Lounge owner, Preston Grantham, took the stand as one of the key witnesses, providing valuable insights into the chaos that unfolded on that tragic night. The prosecution detailed the case against Dickey, asserting that he was responsible for firing numerous rounds into the crowded bar during a fight on the dance floor. The ensuing chaos resulted in the deaths of Collins and Robinson at the scene, with Bakhsh succumbing to his injuries later.
The gravity of the situation was further underscored by the sentencing handed down to Dickey. In addition to the life sentence for murder, Dickey received 20 years each for two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Furthermore, he was sentenced to one year for unlawful carrying of a pistol. The severity of the sentences reflects the court’s determination to hold the perpetrator accountable for the devastating consequences of his actions.
Dickey was not alone in facing charges related to the shooting. Davijon Khalil McCall, Antonio Verell Mills Jr., and Zachary Austin Cole were also implicated in the incident. The court’s decision sends a strong message about the consequences of such violent acts, emphasizing the need for justice in the face of tragedy.
The timeline of events during that fateful night, as outlined by authorities, paints a picture of chaos and terror. The shootings erupted just before 2 a.m. during a heated altercation on the dance floor. Warrants revealed that one of the suspects indiscriminately fired multiple rounds into the crowded bar, resulting in injuries to several patrons.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act, the legal system has provided a measure of closure by holding Darius Dickey accountable for his role in the Darlington County shooting. While the scars of that tragic night may never fully heal, the verdict serves as a reminder that justice will be pursued relentlessly in the face of such heinous crimes.
