A Commerce woman was sentenced to prison Tuesday, after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter in connection with the November 2012 stabbing death of a Greenville man.
Myeisha Simone Garcia was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division, following the sentencing hearing in the 354th District Court, according to Hunt County District Attorney Noble D. Walker Jr.
“The defendant entered an open plea with no agreement as to punishment,” Walker said. “We’re glad the victim’s family was able to see the defendant punished for her actions.”
Garcia had previously pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in connection with the death of Jamal Stanton, but entered an open plea of guilty to manslaughter during a January 2 hearing.
An open plea means no plea bargain agreement had been arranged in the cases and that Garcia was subject to the full range of punishment. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence upon conviction of from two to 20 years in prison.
Garcia admitted to having acted recklessly in attacking Stanton with the knife, causing his death on Nov. 28, 2012.
Stanton died of a stab wound to the upper left torso. According to a report from the Commerce Police Department, Stanton was involved in an altercation at a Commerce apartment complex.
Early that morning, officers responded to a call from Hunt Regional Community Hospital advising of a stabbing victim that had been brought into the emergency room. Hospital personnel performed life saving measures, but were unable to revive Stanton.
“Assistant District Attorney Steve Lilley did a great job presenting the State’s evidence during the sentencing hearing,” Walker added, also commending officers with the Commerce Police Department for their work on the case.
