A North Charleston man has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man in 2021, bringing to a close a case that has wound through the criminal justice system for more than four years.

The sentence, handed down after a jury found the defendant guilty of murder, ensures he will spend decades behind bars. Under South Carolina law, violent offenders must serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole.

The victim was 21 when he was shot and killed. His family has waited years for this moment, navigating a court system slowed by pandemic disruptions and typical procedural delays.

The length of the sentence reflects both the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it. Prosecutors presented evidence that persuaded jurors the shooting was intentional and warranted the most serious charges.

For families of murder victims, the conclusion of criminal proceedings brings complicated emotions. The sentence cannot bring back the person lost. But it can provide a measure of closure and assurance that the person responsible will face consequences.

The four-year gap between crime and sentencing represents a typical timeline for serious cases. Investigations require months to complete. Defendants have rights to speedy trials that courts attempt to honor while managing crowded dockets. Pandemic-era disruptions extended timelines further.

The defendant’s attorney did not indicate plans to appeal. Under South Carolina’s sentencing structure, the 55-year term leaves little room for early release.

For the victim’s family, the sentence closes one chapter while opening another: learning to live with loss that no prison term can truly address.