Columbia man pleads guilty to stabbing student last year at fraternity tailgate
Carlos Garrick, the 37-year-old Columbia man who stabbed two USC students at a fraternity party after last year’s Georgia game, was sentenced to three years in prison during a court hearing today.
Garrick, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery in the second degree in the stabbing of 21-year-old Jamie Mullen and 19-year-old Will Johns on Bluff Road. Three years is the maximum sentence for each of the two charges, according to the Richland County Solicitor’s Office. The sentences will run concurrently.
Mullen, now a 22-year-old fourth-year sport and entertainment management student at USC, said he was attending a fraternity tailgate last September when Garrick approached the tailgate and threw a beer bottle at Mullen and his female friend. Mullen said he went after Garrick, who then stabbed him several times and ran away.
“I was pretty much relieved and felt closure from it,” Mullen said. “It gave a bad light to the university and everything that went on that day. I’m happy it’s over with and he’s doing his time.”
Mullen said he doesn’t have any “harsh feelings” toward the incident.
“I took it all in stride,” Mullen said. “I was back in class three weeks later.”