Mother of confessed killer Joseph Chavez speaks out, reconciles with victims

The Christmas Day 2011 murder of 20-year-old Buck Garner came to a close on Tuesday.

Joseph Chavez, 20, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for stabbing Garner to death.

Chavez’s mom, Eva Bargas, said her son was once a little boy who spent all day long shoveling snow, so he could buy pizza for her when she came home from working double shifts.

“Every day I live with this,” said Bargas. I’m his mother.”

In court on Tuesday, Bargas took the witness stand. She told the court her son was a good person, who made a terrible mistake.

She spoke to Buck Garner’s mother, Lisa, from the witness stand.

“I pray every morning, for both of us,” she said. “That we can get through this.”

During the prosecution’s arguments, Lisa Garner spoke to Chavez.

“There will always and forever be a hole in my heart,” said Garner. “I love you Buck.”

Chavez apologized to Garner, and told her he loves her family.

“It was a mistake,” he said. “I have to live with that for the rest of my life.”

The final page also held an unexpected epilogue.

“I think every night about her, and her son,” said Bargas.

Bargas said there was a moment she had long hoped for, but never realized until Tuesday. After court, she and Garner embraced, and spoke for the first time. about a moment long-hoped for…

“The kids who went to jail,” said Bargas. “I know their mothers personally.”

Bargas referenced the 6 other defendants, already serving varying sentences for their roles in the Christmas Day killing.

The only one I didn’t get to know was Lisa,” she said.

On Tuesday, with a hug, that changed.

Ten years of the 30 year sentence for Chavez is fixed. After that period he will be eligible for parole.