Brent Pongyan sentenced to 10 years in connection to Garner stabbing

The sixth defendant in the Ammon Christmas Day stabbing death of 20-year-old Buck Garner will spend up to 10 years in prison. That’s the ruling by District Judge Dane Watkins Jr. on Monday.

Pongyan pleaded guilty to principal to aggravated battery earlier in 2012.

Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Clark described autopsy results indicating Garner had been stabbed twice in the heart. He then described Pongyan’s admission of having held Garner in a full-Nelson hold as Joseph Chavez stabbed Garner.

Defense attorney John Stosich argued the description was unnecessary since Pongyan had already pleaded guilty.

Clark argued for a total 15 years in prison.

“Our recommendations were different, but that’s based upon our view of what this crime warrants,” said Clark. “You’ll also notice the defense asked for something different as well, and they didn’t get what they requested either.”

Pongyan’s defense had argued for a period of probation. The main suspect in the Garner murder case, alleged stabber Chavez, will stand trial in September.