A Horry County judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Charles Weldon Boyd against attorney Mark B. Tinsley, who represents the estate of Scott Spivey, a man Boyd fatally shot in a road-rage incident in 2023.

Background of the Case

The lawsuit, filed in November 2025, alleged that Tinsley had engaged in improper conduct by speaking to the media about the case and releasing selective footage, which Boyd claimed had prejudiced his right to a fair trial.

Boyd, the owner of Buoys on the Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach, had sought a judicial declaration that Tinsley’s conduct was improper, but not monetary damages.

Judge’s Ruling

Horry County Court of Common Pleas Judge B. Alex Hyman granted Tinsley’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing the legal sufficiency of Boyd’s complaint. The ruling does not address the underlying truth or falsity of the parties’ competing characterizations of Tinsley’s media conduct.

Tinsley’s defense argued that Boyd’s complaint was an attempt to silence him and restrict his ability to speak to the media about the case. The court’s dismissal is seen as a significant development in the ongoing legal battle.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Spivey’s estate against Boyd remains active, and Boyd has 30 days to file an appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.