A Gaston County man was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the brutal murder of his roommate in Lowell, North Carolina.
Conviction and Sentence
Samuel Colt Usery, 32, was convicted of first-degree murder in the March 12, 2023, killing of 21-year-old Michael Drayton Jr. Superior Court Judge Donald Cureton sentenced Usery to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder.
Details of the Crime
The shooting took place at their home on the 300 block of South Church Street. Usery shot Drayton six times, resulting in eight gunshot wounds, and the victim’s throat was cut three times after death. Evidence presented at trial indicated that drug use, particularly fentanyl, played a role in the crime.
Prosecution and Investigation
The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Travis Page and Assistant District Attorney Debbie Gulledge. The jury trial began on May 11, 2026. Page stated, “Michael Drayton did not deserve to die at the hands of his supposed friend. This verdict and sentence ensure that a dangerous individual will spend the remainder of his life behind bars.”
The District Attorney’s Office thanked the Lowell Police Department and Gaston County Police Department for their work on the investigation.
