A tragic case from Dorchester County has now officially come to an end, bringing some closure to a deeply disturbing incident that shocked the community in 2023. The case involved the killing of a young girl and multiple individuals connected to the crime.
Final Defendant Pleads Guilty
According to Solicitor David Pascoe, the last co-defendant in the case, Marsha Buck, has pleaded guilty. The 23-year-old from Ladson admitted to misprision of a felony, meaning she knew about the crime but did not report it.
She was sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act and has been placed on probation. With her plea, all individuals involved in the case have now faced legal action.
Details of the 2023 Incident
The victim, Mariyah Ezell, was just 14 years old. She was killed in May 2023 on Timothy Lane in Ridgeville. According to prosecutors, she was lured to the location by people she believed were her friends, making the crime even more heartbreaking.
Authorities said she was shot multiple times after being taken to the area, highlighting the seriousness and planned nature of the attack.
Marsha Buck’s Role in the Case
Investigators found that Marsha Buck had prior knowledge of the crime. She allowed her vehicle to be used by those involved and also permitted three individuals connected to the incident to stay at her home after the killing.
While she was not directly involved in the act of violence, her actions played a role in helping those responsible, which led to the charges against her.
Other Defendants and Sentences
Several other individuals had already pleaded guilty earlier in the case. Sabin Buck, 22, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder and obstruction of justice.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by probation. Authorities said he was present during the incident, disposed of the weapon in a retention pond, and tried to hide evidence.
In June 2025, Bailey Taylor, 20, pleaded guilty to murder and received a 35-year prison sentence. Prosecutors said Taylor, who was known to the victim, drove the group and lured Ezell to the location.
That same month, Drayton Smalls, 21, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Authorities identified him as the shooter, stating that he led Ezell behind a building and carried out the fatal attack.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was handled by Senior Assistant Solicitor Greg Voigt, with support from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Officials credited the thorough investigation for helping bring all those involved to justice.
