In the small city of Hardeeville, South Carolina, a dispute escalated into a fatal encounter that claimed the life of 41-year-old DeWayne Lamont Manuel. On November 12, 2014, an argument between Manuel and another man, Byron Singleton, over Singleton's girlfriend turned violent. The confrontation culminated with Singleton shooting Manuel three times on Church Street, ending his life.
Following the shooting, an investigation was launched by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Their efforts led to the arrest of Byron Kenyattia Singleton, who was 42 years old at the time. Initially, Singleton was charged with murder and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Witnesses reported seeing Singleton drive to the Millstone Boat Landing in the Purrysburg community and discard a gun into the river in an attempt to conceal his involvement in the crime. He also burned the clothes he was wearing at the time of the shooting.
In July 2017, Byron Singleton appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, as well as possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. As a result of his guilty plea, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the death of DeWayne Lamont Manuel. The plea and sentencing brought a legal conclusion to the case that had begun with a heated argument and ended in a tragic loss of life.
