The trial of two men accused of murder at an Augusta apartment complex got underway Monday.
Patrick Noble, 27, and Tony Darby, 28, were under indictment for the May 23, 2019, murder of Sanquan V. Sims.
Prosecutors said Noble and Darby each shot Sims in the parking lot of Magnolia Park apartments off Walden Drive after Sims allegedly sold them fake narcotic pills, according to prior news reports.
Investigators said the men intended to have a fistfight with Sims when guns came out. Darby allegedly shot Sims first, followed by Noble, according to prior reports. Sims had been shot seven times.
Neither defendant had a criminal history at the time of their arrests. Each was indicted for malice murder, felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Both eventually secured bonds for their release, but Darby’s bond was revoked in November after he was found with a gun during a traffic stop.
Jury selection in Richmond County Superior Court was held in the case Monday. It resumes this morning.
