A 30-year-old Ridgeland man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday, April 23, for shooting his brother-in-law on Lady’s Island in 2013.

At the conclusion of a three-day trial, jurors convicted Malcom Brabham of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime.

On July 15, 2013, Brabham and his brother-in-law, Chadwick Mitchell, were heading home from a bar when they got into an argument about how Brabham had been treating Mitchell’s sister.

Near the intersection of Holly Hall Road and Little Capers Road, Mitchell got out of Brabham’s car. Brabham also exited the vehicle, removed a pistol from his waistline and shot Mitchell once in the chest. Brabham left Mitchell on the side of the road. Mitchell was able to walk to a nearby house, where the residents called for help.

He nearly died at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and was taken by helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for more treatment.

“That injury not only could have killed him, but it changed his entire life,” said assistant solicitor Mary Jordan Lempesis, who prosecuted the case. “He is lucky to be here with us today.”

The victim, who works as a cook in Beaufort, told the court that the injury makes it difficult to use his right arm and hand. He will have a permanent disability as a result of the shooting.

Judge Roger Young handed down the sentence, of which Brabham must serve at least 85 percent before being eligible for release.