SC man sentenced for slaying friend, dragging body

NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) — A white South Carolina man who shot a black friend to death and then drunkenly dragged his body behind his pickup truck is heading to prison in a case once scrutinized for possible racist overtones.

Gregory Collins was sentenced Tuesday to 28 years in prison in the slaying last year of Anthony Hill in Newberry. The 20-year-old apologized to Hill’s family and the community.

Prosecutor Jerry Peace says the two were drinking before Hill brandished a gun. Authorities say Collins took the weapon and shot him. Collins then used a rope to hoist Hill’s body into his truck to dump it. He didn’t notice when the body fell out and dragged for 11 miles.

The New Black Panther Party had called for authorities to charge Collins with a hate crime.