In a month the family of Dominique Brown will mark the second anniversary of the 20-year-old’s murder. But on Monday the family got some resolution when the accused, James O’Bryan Praylow, pled guilty to the murder.

Praylow, 22, of Prosperity, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to assault and battery with intent to kill and was sentenced to a concurrent 15 years in prison. Praylow also received a five-year sentence for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

On Dec. 8, 2007, Praylow shot Brown, 20, of Newberry, to death outside the Rutherford Club on Highway 176 near Pomaria.

Brown, who was an athletic standout at Newberry High School and played in the Shrine Bowl, was shot multiple times. A second man, Chad Marquee Caldwell, 20, of Clyde Avenue in Newberry, was shot in the arm. Brown died at the scene.

During the brief hearing Monday afternoon, Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace said that Praylow and Brown got into two arguments inside the club.

During the second argument, “the DJ stopped everything” due to the fight, said Peace.

Praylow then went to his car and Brown reportedly followed him and hit Praylow. Praylow then pulled out a gun and shot Brown twice, Peace told the judge. Caldwell, who was a bystander, was also hit by a bullet.

Praylow then left the scene.

During the brief hearing, Brown’s aunt Tashawn Cannon said, “today is closure for my family.” She added she hoped that God has mercy on Praylow’s soul.

As both families wept, Praylow’s grandmother, Betty Abney, said Praylow was not a bad person, but that sometimes young people follow the wrong crowd and things happen.

Praylow then admitted to the murder and told the Brown family, “sorry” which was soon followed by “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord,” ringing through the courtroom.

Brown’s mother, Kim Brown, said the past two years have been hard and sad for her, but she was relieved to hear Praylow say he was sorry.

Darryl Douglas, Dominique Brown’s uncle, said that no matter how much time in prison Praylow was sentenced to, it would not change the fact that Dominique was dead, but the plea will help the family move on.

He also hopes his nephew’s murder will teach young people in Newberry County and beyond to “stop being so fast to pull out weapons.” He added that fist fighting is a lot easier, and not as deadly, and that if youth felt they had to fight, they should do it with their fists.

Douglas said he and his family are praying for mercy for Praylow, and for hope for themselves.

The Brown family plans to have another walk against violence to celebrate Brown’s life. No date for the walk has been set.