MAN SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS FOR KILLING HIS FRIEND OVER A DICE GAME
March 4, 2022
Columbia – A Richland County jury found Mikah Nelsun Green, age 25, guilty of Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. The case began with jury selections Monday, February 28, 2022 and concluded Wednesday March 2nd. The Honorable Clifton Newman sentenced Michael Green to thirty-five (35) years in prison for Murder and five (5) years on Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime, to run concurrent.
Jurors heard testimony that on March 30, 2019, a gambling dispute arose between the victim, Stacey Rhodes, age 31, and the defendant, who were friends. Stacey Rhodes accused defendant of cheating by taking twenty dollars ($20.00) out of the pot in a dice game. Defendant vehemently disagreed and became irate asserting his innocence. A loud argument between the two ensued. Defendant left the argument, went to his car and retrieved a 9mm pistol. Stacey Rhodes was unarmed.
A friend stopped in the parking lot to offer Mr. Rhoades a ride out of the argumentative situation. Eyewitness testimony described that seconds later, while Stacey Rhodes was facing the vehicle, the defendant walked up and shot him in the back. This testimony was corroborated by the crime scene evidence and nearby security footage. The pathologist testified the two bullets which hit the victim entered through the victim’s back; he died in surgery later that day.
Assistant Solicitors Ruston Neely and Phillip Coury represented the State.