Chavez pleads guilty in Christmas Day stabbing

The main defendant in the Christmas Day deadly stabbing case changed his plea Wednesday at the Bonneville County Courthouse.

As part of a plea agreement, Joseph Manuel Chavez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to an incident in Ammon in which Buck Garner, 20, was killed on Dec. 25 of last year.

Chavez, 20, had pleaded not guilty in February.

As part of the plea agreement, attorneys on both sides have agreed to minimum 10-year fixed sentence, binding on the court. The prosecution said it would also recommend an indeterminate period of 15 years. Prosecutor Bruce Pickett said the state can argue up to a life sentence.

The prosecution dropped the deadly weapon enhancement on the murder charge as part of the agreement.

Judge Joel Tingey, who was filling in for Judge Dane Watkins Jr., accepted the plea. He asked Chavez what made him guilty.

“I was being attacked by the victim, Buck Garner, and I jabbed down with the knife,” said Chavez.

“Do you believe the knife wound caused his death?” asked Tingey.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Before Tingey accepted the plea, he asked Chavez if his father’s death the night before made him unfit for the court. Chavez said he was able to proceed.

A presentence report, including mental health evaluation, was ordered. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 9.