LEXINGTON, S.C. — Jewayne Price on Thursday was found guilty on all counts for his involvement in the 2022 Columbiana Centre shooting, which left several people injured.
The verdict came Thursday afternoon after several hours of closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
During closing statements, prosecutors argued that Price's actions reflected "mutual combat," while the defense maintained that Price acted in self-defense, claiming he was merely "standing his ground" and would have lost his life if not for his firearm.
“He turns and he doesn’t run; he comes at Robinson with a drawn pistol, and the minute he draws, all guns are drawn,” argued the prosecution during the hearing. They contended that Price’s use of a weapon escalated the violence.
The defense countered with claims about the other individuals involved. “Mr. Robinson tells you that as he's following Mr. Price in the mall, he takes his gun with his extended clip and moves it around in his shorts and the solicitor says that's no big deal?” the defense noted, framing Robinson’s behavior as provocative.
Immediately following the guilty verdict, Price's attorney, Rep. Todd Rutherford, announced plans to appeal, saying, “Mr. Price went to the mall that day to go shopping, and while he was there, he was attacked by at least two individuals who presented guns and shot at him. That should never happen to anybody, and it shouldn't happen to the innocent people in this case and we apologize to every single one of them."
Price’s conviction includes two counts of attempted murder and nine counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
In the aftermath of Price’s conviction, further legal proceedings will occur with Amari Smith’s trial set to begin Friday morning, and Marquise Robinson's trial will follow after Smith's.