BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A Berkeley County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of murdering three men in what prosecutors described as a cold and calculated execution.
Jay Quan Tyheim Washington was found guilty by a jury Friday afternoon of the murders of Malik Gibbs, Desmond Williams, and Martice Green, according to the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Washington was also convicted on multiple weapons charges tied to the killings.
The verdict followed a week-long trial, culminating in Judge Dale Van Slambrook sentencing Washington to life in prison.
According to trial testimony, the killings took place on January 20, 2020, in the Pineville area of Berkeley County. Prosecutors said Washington spent hours with the three victims, who were his supposed friends, before turning on them in a remote location.
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While riding in a vehicle with the three men, Washington allegedly waited until they reached a secluded gravel road before he acted. He shot Martice Green and Desmond Williams once each while they sat in the moving car. The gunfire caused the driver, Malik Gibbs, to lose control and veer into a nearby field. Gibbs attempted to flee, but Washington chased him down and shot him three times. Prosecutors said Washington then placed Gibbs’ body back in the car alongside the other victims and fled the scene on foot.
Investigators believe the murders were gang-related. Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Gilbreath provided key insights into Washington’s movements and communications on the day of the killings, including a message sent to another gang member after the murders that read simply: “Doa.”
Special Counsel Stephanie Linder, who led the prosecution with Assistant Solicitors Ashleigh Brown and Michael Secrist, praised the jury’s verdict and expressed hope that it will help the victims’ families and the Pineville community begin to heal from the brutal killings.
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Solicitor’s Investigators Dustin Morris and Tom Rostin also assisted with the case.
