By Betsy Finklea
Dillon Mayor Pro-Tem Randolph Stephen Gurley was arrested for attempted murder and other charges on Thursday.
Warrants show that Gurley, 56, 800 East Street, Dillon, was charged with attempted murder, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance near a school, and two counts of distribution of marijuana. The Dillon County Detention Center confirms that he was also charged with open container.
According to a SLED press release, a SLED warrant says that “Gurley verbally threatened to kill the victim (a 20-year-old Dillon man) while the two were on the corner of 9th Avenue and Beaufort Streets in Dillon on August 24, 2010. Gurley is further accused of intentionally striking the victim with his Cadillac Escalade and failing to stop the vehicle after hitting the man. The victim suffered injuries to his neck, ribs and hand resulting in the need for medical attention.”
An incident report by Sgt. Ryan Berry of the City of Dillon Police Department says that when he arrived “the victim was laying in the grass in front of 509 Beaufort Street. The suspect’s (Gurley’s) vehicle was parked about 15 feet from the victim on the right side of the roadway. The victim stated that the victim and suspect (Gurley) had words earlier. The victim stated that the suspect ran over the victim on purpose. The suspect stated that the victim jumped out in front of the vehicle and tried to bust out the suspect’s glass window. The victim was transported to Dillon McLeod Hospital by EMS.”
The drug charges stem from a separate investigation. According to the warrant Gurley “sold marijuana to a confidential informant at his home on June 21, 2010.” This is located within a 1/2 mile from Maple School.
Another warrant states that on June 24, 2010, that “a confidential informant for the Dillon County Sheriff’s Department did purchase marijuana from Gurley at his residence.” This is located within a 1/2 mile from Maple School.
A magistrate judge denied bond on Mayor Pro-Tem Randolph Gurley on Friday morning.
Gurley will now have to go before a circuit court judge to have bond heard again.
In July, Gurley was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for an alleged incident involving his wife.
Gurley has served on the Dillon City Council since 1995 and currently is Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Chaplain.
He is a pastor of the AMEZ and according to the City of Dillon website, is currently pursuing his master’s degree in theology from Liberty University.