Published: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 9:36 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 9:37
Cody James Ward, 19, of Forest Grove was sentenced in Washington County Court to 48 months in prison in the criminally negligent homicide of Trenton Lester, 15.
Fifteen-year-old Trenton Joseph Lester, "T.J." to friends and family, died because of another teen's fatal error, Washington County prosecutors said Thursday.
Cody James Ward, 19, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide with a firearm, and received a four-year prison sentence, for shooting his friend in the head at Ward's home Sept. 17.
Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey said the Forest Grove teens were "playing around" when Ward loaded his father's short-barrel shotgun with one bullet. Intending to scare Lester, Ward told investigators, he loaded the shell into the barrel he believed was inoperable.
He put the gun to the back of Lester's head, and said, "T.J." The gun went off, McKey said, and Lester died instantly. In statements to police, Ward has never acknowledged pulling the trigger.
At Thursday's hearing before Circuit Judge Thomas Kohl, Lori Lester said 15 years was not enough time with her son, who loved to laugh and was "meant for great things."
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The Oregonian’s continuing coverage of the death of Trenton Joseph Lester"I will always have five children," she said. "But one of them went to heaven too soon."
Growing more emotional, Lori Lester pleaded through tears, "Why did you have to load the gun? Why did you have to point it at my son? Why were there even guns in your home?"
She said she hoped Ward would be successful, find his passion and live his life "as a memorial to my son."
"Don't let jail ruin you," she told Ward. "Show the world that something good can come out of a horrible tragedy."
Lester's aunt, Jodi Rodriguez, also made a tearful statement, telling Ward she doubted his pain matched that of Lester's family. Ward has a "light at the end of a tunnel," she said.
"My family is left with this gaping hole that you created," Rodriguez said.
She said she feared Ward would only become "a better criminal" in prison and that he would go on to hurt other families.
"I know I sound hateful and cynical," she said. "I want you to know, with all of my heart, I hope you prove me wrong. Please prove me wrong."
Ward, who sat handcuffed at the defense table, brushed away tears with a tissue. He looked down and sniffed throughout the hearing.
Defense attorney Scott Sharp said Ward had decided not to make a statement.
"Anything we might say is going to sound cliche compared to what he's feeling," Sharp said.
"He has had nightmares 99 percent of every night he's been in jail," Sharp said.
The teen has been on suicide watch and diagnosed with "severe" post-traumatic stress disorder, his attorney said.
Ward didn't want to take the case to trial, Sharp said. From day one, Ward planned on resolving the case with a plea.
Sharp said Ward did something he's never seen from any other client he's defended in a homicide case: He asked to serve more time.
As the pair discussed prison time and potential plea offers, Sharp said Ward shot down his first suggestion. He said Ward responded, "No, that's not enough time. We need to be serious about this."
Ward was indicted Oct. 17 on charges of second-degree manslaughter, unlawful possession of a short-barrel shotgun and recklessly endangering. Unrelated to the shooting, he was also charged with two counts of third-degree rape involving his 14-year-old girlfriend, who witnessed the shooting.
As part of his plea agreement, Ward's manslaughter charge was replaced with criminally negligent homicide. He also pleaded guilty to the unlawful weapon charge and one count of third-degree rape.
His father, James Dale Ward, owned the shotgun Ward used. James Ward pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of unlawful possession of a short-barrel shotgun and was sentenced to probation.
-- Emily E. Smith
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