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SALT LAKE CITY — A Millcreek woman asked a judge Wednesday to give her grandson a sentence that would last for the rest of her lifetime.
"I am terrified of him and would fear for my life if he was released and I was still alive," the grandmother said.
Third District Judge Vernice Trease ordered the man to serve a term of at least three years and up to life in the Utah State Prison for repeatedly stabbing his then 79-year-old grandmother with a knife in 2019.
Zachary Lance Raynor, 28, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, a first degree felony, while two second-degree felony charges, mayhem and aggravated abuse of an elder, were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Joann Raynor explained that she would be forced to either leave town or go into hiding if her grandson were released during her lifetime and asked the court to consider that in his sentence.
"This is a very hard and heartbreaking day for us, to see our grandson sentenced to prison. We know what he did to me was so horrifying and unbelievable; we still can't comprehend it. Because of his actions, he needs to pay a penalty," she said.
The grandmother said that she and her husband raised Raynor since he was a year old because his parents were not able to take care of him, and they tried to give him a happy life and teach him right from wrong.
"We have forgiven him, and hope he will be able to eventually live a happy and productive life," she said.
Joann Raynor explained that she has been physically and mentally harmed by her grandson's actions. She has scars on her face, she is unable to use her dominant hand. She said that "everything is so much harder."
Salt Lake County deputy district attorney Breanne Miller said that on Oct. 14, 2019, Zachary Raynor "repeatedly stabbed his 80-year-old grandmother" and continued until his grandfather intervened. His grandfather was also stabbed on the hand. Raynor only stopped because he believed that he had killed his grandmother, Miller said.
Although the grandfather decided to drive his wife to the hospital deciding that would get her care faster than calling 911, Raynor did call 911 and told the emergency service, "I stabbed my grandmother to death." The prosecutor said the calls were concerning as Raynor said things that were very inappropriate for the circumstance.
When police arrived, Zachary Raynor on the front porch "naked, covered in blood and holding a butcher knife," the charges state.
At that time, Raynor was "suffering serious delusions," according to his attorney, Jeffrey Clark, as he was being affected by drugs and was not taking prescribed mental health medications. Clark argued that Raynor would have a high chance of success in a probationary program if he continues taking his medication and avoids drugs.
Zachary Raynor told the judge that he was sorry for his actions.
"I'm so sorry for what I've done. It doesn't feel like anything I can say or do will ever possibly make up for what I've done. You tried to get me help, I should have listened. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I love you," he said to his grandparents.
Trease recommended to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole that the victim's fears and request that Raynor not be released during her lifetime be taken into consideration during future parole hearings, according to the court docket.
