Cory Wright was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday for the stabbing death of an American sailor in November of 2006.
Damon Crooks, 27, was stabbed four times, one piercing his heart, during a brawl outside the former Argyle street bar Rain after the bar closed. His girlfriend was pregnant with his daughter at the time of his death.
It is believed Crooks was trying to break up the fight at the time.
In March Wright, 25, plead guilty to manslaughter, which was brought down from second-degree murder. Judge Felix Cacchione said the guilty plea played a big part in his sentencing.
Because of the confusion in the 20-30 person melee and the intoxication of those involved, it would have been hard to prove Wright guilty, said Cacchione.
Wright has been in jail for two and a half years and will receive four years’ worth of time served, for a remaining sentence of 11 years.
Family members said they’d hoped for a longer sentence but were satisfied with the result.
“As much time as Corey Wright spends in jail, even if it’s life, it’s not going to bring Damon back,” said brother Corwin Gooden.
Several family members had flown up from Florida and read victim impact statements. His sister, Erin Wright, described losing her government job and her faith after the murder.
“I have not been myself since and I don’t think I’ll ever get back to the person I once was,” she told the court.
Wright wrote a statement, read by his lawyer, in which he accepted responsibility and said he wished he could give his life to bring Crooks back.
“I hate myself for what I’ve done,” the statement read. “I don’t expect any of you to forgive me, I just pray some day you won’t hate me.”
