Man Gets Prison In Christmas Day Stabbing

One of 7 defendants facing various charges related to the Christmas Day stabbing death of 20-year-old Buck Garner was in court on Monday for sentencing.

19-year-old Ryan Morgan was sentenced to 5 years in jail for his part in a fight that took place on the other side of the room the night Garner was stabbed. The fight in question involved the assault of Andrew Hall, a friend of Garner’s and tenant at the Ammon Rd. House.

“I don’t want to see anyone’s life ruined when they’re 18, 19,” said Brenda Hall, Andrew Hall’s mom.

Hall was in court on Monday. She waited and watched as Morgan plead with Judge Dane Watkins Jr.

“I just want to say that I’m so, I’m sorry,” said Morgan from the defendant’s bench.

Morgan said the apology was for what happened when he and 6 other men came to Andrew Hall’s house to get in a fight with him.

“I think Andrew needs somebody in the courtroom,” said Brenda Hall. She tries to make it to every court appearance for the defendants in the case.

Monday’s sentencing was important to Brenda Hall. Judge Watkins did not follow the provisions of a non-binding plea agreement recommending probation for Morgan. Instead, he handed down a prison sentence.

“It will be for a fixed period of 2 years followed by an indeterminate period of 3 years,” said Watkins.

It was more than Brenda Hall expected.

“We were prepared for probation,” she said.

But the sentence was more than she could have hoped. Watkins also sentenced Morgan to a rider program for rehabilitation and mental health. Morgan’s attorney cited a long history of childhood troubles. For Brenda Hall, it’s the punishment and the help for Morgan that spells “justice.”

“If there’s a chance they can get help and they’ve had a troubled childhood and stuff, i’d like to see them get better,” she said.

Joseph Chavez, the main suspect in the murder of Buck Garner, is due to begin his jury trial in May.