I-TEAM: Dealer released from prison early after Columbia County fentanyl death
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Our I-TEAM has an update about the first-ever murder case in Columbia County tied to a fentanyl death.
The suspect in that case took a plea deal and was released from prison early.
Colin Magill pleaded guilty to drug possession and distribution charges, and a judge sentenced him to 25 years with five of those behind bars and the remaining 20 on probation.
However, our I-TEAM has learned he’s been released from prison after only serving a year and 2 months of that. That’s not even half the time he was originally supposed to serve.
Alex King died in 2020 after taking Percocet laced with fentanyl.
King was only 28 years old.
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Investigators say Magill sold King the tainted drugs.
On Monday, King’s step-father told the I-TEAM the early release adds salt to an open wound.
Alex King’s mother is still too heartbroken to speak publicly about this so, Bryan Lugo spoke for both of them.
Lugo is also the one who was standing right next to Columbia County’s District Attorney when he announced Magill’s murder charges.
Lugo says he’s disgusted Magill is already walking free.
King was a leaper, or a leapling. It’s what you call someone born on February 29, so even though his cake said “28″ in 2020, it was officially Alex’s seventh birthday.
It was also the last birthday he ever celebrated.
“We’ll never see him again. I mean, it can destroy a family. I mean, his poor mother. I mean, this is all she thinks about all day long, that she’ll never see her son again. It’s a very difficult thing to live with,” said Lugo.
Losing Alex was hard enough. Losing hope in the justice system has only made this more painful.
“Like we’re stabbed in the back,” said Lugo.
Lugo says this is personal, because he stood with Columbia County District Attorney Bobbie Christine, in a very public way, when Christine announced the first-ever murder charges in Columbia County history for a fentanyl-related death during a news conference in February of 2022. He said his office was cracking down fentanyl.
“And, God, willing prevent more parents from receiving such tragic news,” said Christine as he glanced over at Lugo.
Lugo says his heart was broken when he heard from someone else about the plea deal where Magill would get to plead to much lesser charges than felony murder.
“You’ll stand there with a family member behind you, and you’ll say how you’re tough on crime and this is what you’re going to do? And then you don’t do it? Imagine that feeling,” said Lugo.
Christine did not take the I-TEAM up on our offer for an interview. Instead, he texted.
“I do not critique the sentences of our judges. The decision of the parole board is just that, a decision they make,” he said in a text.
He also told the I-TEAM in a plea deal, he never considered what the parole board could do later because he says those rules can change and often do.
As for Lugo, he wishes the district attorney would have moved forward with the murder charge.
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“I would much rather have you fight for Alex and lose in court and lose the trial than do something like this. This is a slap in our family’s face,” said Lugo.
It can’t bring Alex back, but his family hopes it could make a difference and mean more birthdays for others.
Our I-TEAM reached out to King’s father as well. He has been very ive of D.A. Christine.
“Colin and Alex were friends. My thoughts and prayers go out the Magill’s in hopes that Colin’s early release can lead to a life of reconciliation and redemption that would make Alex proud,” said King’s father.
Steve Hayes with Pardon and Paroles says the board does not “select” which individuals will be considered for a parole release.
Convicted offenders are eligible for parole according to the sentencing statute, and the board must consider them for parole when they become statutorily eligible.
Magill was eligible for his five-year sentence on October 4, 2023, which was one-third of his five-year sentence. He was granted parole release on Feb. 2, 2024.
His max out, or end of sentence, date is Feb. 3, 2027.
Magill served two years and will remain under parole supervision with the Department of Community Supervision for the remainder of the five-year sentence.
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