'Trigger Man' in Murder of Pizza Delivery Driver Sentenced to 49 Years

The man described as the "trigger man" in the brutal murder of a North Charleston man in 2012 has been sentenced to 49 years in jail. 

Stephawn Brown entered a guilty plea Thursday, and received sentencing Friday at the Dorchester County Court House in St. George. Brown is guilty of murder and armed robbery. The armed robbery conviction resulted in 30 years, which will be served concurrent with the murder charge. With a murder conviction, time must be served in full. 

Last March, Brown and an accomplice made a call for a food delivery from Domino's in North Charleston. The food was delivered by Maraleius Birdsong, a student at Trident Tech. Birdsong was unable to deliver the food to location specified and returned to his vehicle, where he was robbed and then shot in the head.

Birdsong's gave a final gift after death. Click here to read.

The trial for Brown began Tuesday, but defendants can enter a plea at any time, Dorchester County Assistant Solicitor Russell Hilton said.

Brown's accomplice, Jontae Davis, pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter and armed robbery earlier this week. He was able to plea to the lesser charges in exchange for his testimony against Brown.

Davis was sentenced to 20 years, and must serve 85 percent before he's eligible for community supervision. 

Hilton said the focus was on getting the conviction on Brown, who was the "trigger man."