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Sam Penrod reportingA gunman who shot and paralyzed a Panguitch man in a random shooting this summer has pleaded guilty.
It prevents a trial where the suspect was planning an insanity defense.
Surrounded by his wife and their nine children, Tracy Armstrong came to court to face the man who shot him four times, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. "This is the first time we've seen him and hopefully the last we'll see him. I don't want to sound bitter, but the fact is that he has done a lot of damage to our family. As to the young man's guilt, he was guilty. He's destroyed a lot of things that we treasure and value as far as me being to be an integral part of the family," said Armstrong.
Jasson Hines pleaded guilty to attempted murder for shooting Armstrong for no reason at the Armstrong family's lodge at Panguitch Lake in August.
Armstrong asked the judge for justice for his nine children because he can't do simple things anymore, like play football with his young sons. He said, "I've been put in a prison for my life, and I believe he ought to be in prison for the rest of his life. I still do not have full use of my right arm, even though I can move it, it's difficult. The pain has been unending, and it's just my worst enemy."
Prosecutors dropped charges against Hines for trying to kill Armstrong's teenage son. Garfield County Attorney Barry Huntington said, "I am sorry to the Armstrong family. I am grateful we got the maximum sentence we could, and that Mr. Hines will be locked up."
Today's court hearing brings an end to the legal case of a shooting that has been a tragedy for the entire community. "The community has been fantastic. We live in the best community in Utah, no doubt about it. Panguitch is great."
And it's that support that Tracy Armstrong believes is helping him heal.
The judge sentenced Jasson Hines to serve at least four years and up to life in prison. The state board of pardons will decide if, or when Hines will be released. Hines apologized to the victim but gave no explanation about why he opened fire.
