Lancaster Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison after 3-Day Trial for Assault and Battery

David Michael Gordon, 49, of Lancaster was convicted by a jury of Assault and Battery First Degree after a 3-day trial. He received the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

On April 16, 2024, law enforcement officers from both the Lancaster Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation into the assault of an adult male which resulted in severe injuries to the male. The investigation revealed that David Michael Gordon assaulted the victim with a machete, cutting him severely on his right forearm. The victim was transported to MUSC Lancaster and was admitted for treatment. The Defendant was apprehended at the scene of the assault and the machete was recovered by law enforcement and secured into evidence.

The case was scheduled for trial on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. A jury was selected and after pretrial motions were heard, testimony began on Wednesday morning. The case was prosecuted by Sixth Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Stephanie Wood and Special Prosecutor Lisa Collins. Wood stated, “We appreciate the service of the jury in this case. All members of the jury were very attentive throughout the trial. This case involved a senseless attack on one member of the community by another. Too often we see violence result in tragedy. The attack could well have ended with the victim losing his life. We are glad we were able to present this case to the jury and that justice was served today.”

Many members of the jury returned to the courtroom after the verdict to listen as the Defendant was sentenced. Solicitor Wood shared the Defendant’s lengthy prior record with the Court. At the conclusion of the presentation, the Honorable Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced the Defendant to the maximum sentence of 10 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Solicitor Newman stated, “This investigation was a team effort with both the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Lancaster Police Department. I am thankful for the partnerships we’ve built and maintained here in the Lancaster Community.”