Lanett man sentenced to life without parole in 2023 LaGrange murder
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- Lanett man Dorian Darden convicted of murdering 22-year-old Laderek Ferguson at LaGrange convenience store in August 2023.
- Darden sentenced to life without parole plus 40 years after firing AR-style rifle multiple times during gang-related incident.
A Troup County jury has found a Lanett, Alabama man guilty in connection with the August 2023 murder of 22-year-old Laderek Tayshun Ferguson at a LaGrange convenience store.
Dorian Jaquaylen Malik Darden, also known as “PsyCo,” 25, was found guilty on September 25, 2026, following a trial that began September 22. According to the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Darden was convicted of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and two violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Senior Superior Court Judge Fletcher Sams, sitting by designation, sentenced Darden to life in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by an additional 40 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jack Winne. LaGrange Police Department Sergeants Stephen Spivey and Jarrod Anderson led the investigation.
According to evidence presented at trial, surveillance video captured the events shortly before midnight on August 23, 2023, at the former 76 gas station at 315 New Franklin Road in LaGrange.
Ferguson entered the convenience store at approximately 11:47 p.m. and purchased a drink. Shortly afterward, a sedan arrived and parked near the front entrance. Three of the four occupants entered the store.
As Ferguson was leaving, the District Attorney’s Office said a male occupant initiated a verbal altercation with him near the doorway.
During the confrontation, the rear passenger door of the sedan opened, and Darden was seen holding and then aiming an AR-style firearm at Ferguson.
According to prosecutors, Darden fired multiple shots, striking Ferguson four times. Ferguson returned fire as he fell to the ground and struck Darden in the torso before Ferguson died from his injuries.
Darden was hospitalized for nearly two months following the shooting before his arrest.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that while hospitalized, Darden posted a screenshot of a rap lyric on social media on September 11, 2023. The District Attorney’s Office said the post was presented as additional evidence in the case.
The prosecution further presented evidence that Darden was associated with the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal street gang and that the murder was committed in furtherance of the gang's criminal purposes and to maintain or increase Darden’s status within the gang.
The LaGrange Police Department said its officers played a pivotal role in the investigation and successful prosecution, emphasizing the department’s mission to enforce Georgia’s criminal street gang laws and work to remove weapons from the hands of gang members.
The Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office described the case as a gang-motivated murder and said it will continue seeking substantial incarceration for gang-related crimes, including illegal gun possession and drug distribution.
Darden remains in custody following his life-without-parole sentence.
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