Sarbaum accepts voluntary manslaughter plea agreement
Justin C. Sarbaum, 37, has accepted a plea agreement in the January 2017 shooting death of his friend, 36-year-old Tyson Tew at Saurbaum’s apartment in the 2700 block of St. Clair Road.
Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey said Sarbaum pleaded guilty late Friday to a charge of voluntary manslaughter coupled with a deadly weapons enhancement.
According to Idaho Code, voluntary manslaughter carries a penalty of a fine of not more than $15,000 and/or up to 15 years in prison. The weapons enhancement charge is computed by increasing the maximum sentence authorized for the crime by 15 years.
Sentencing was scheduled for March 1 before 7th District Judge Joel Tingey.
According to court documents, Tew was shot twice after the two men got into a physical altercation at Sarbaum’s apartment. The two men, and a neighbor, were playing a game of darts when Sarbaum claims Tew threw a dart at his foot.
The two got into an extended argument that ended when Sarbaum fired a .22 caliber pistol at Tew. Police found the victim with two bullet wounds. He was shot in the upper right shoulder and in the spine.
Dewey said the plea agreement came at the end of a day-long mediation that included consultation with the victim’s family.
The prosecutor and defense agreed to recommend a 20 year total sentence, with two years fixed. However, the defense will be allowed to argue for a lower sentence.
