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SANDY — Amanda Wood said her life permanently changed when two men drove up and down her street in Sandy over three years ago, firing bullets into her home and hitting her 17-year-old son after he walked outside.
"We still have bullet holes that will remain forever," she told the judge Tuesday during a sentencing hearing for the two men.
Her son, Henry Wood, was hit in the chest by one of the bullets on May 22, 2020, and did not survive.
She said losing a child to a "senseless act of violence is unbearable." Although she said prison time would not bring her son back, she believes the men should pay for their crimes.
The two men were sentenced to prison Tuesday by 3rd District Judge Patrick Corum. Corum said it has been years since the video of the shooting was played in a court hearing, but he did not need to review it because he has seen it "countless times" since, whenever he closes his eyes.
"The absolute senselessness of this is beyond words," he said. "This was a deliberate act, and again, as coldblooded a thing as I have encountered."
Emmanuel Espinoza, 24, of West Jordan, was ordered to serve a term of 15 years to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony. He admitted to firing the gun that caused the death of Henry Wood.
James Edward Smith, 23, of Midvale, was sentenced to a term of one to 15 years in prison for murder, a second-degree felony. Smith knew Henry, and prosecutors say the two had been involved in an argument over a rumor.
Corum said although the sentences for the men are different, he thinks the two are equally culpable, and recommended to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole that Smith serve the maximum sentence.
"I believe he should serve every minute of 15 years. This sentence is a gift, quite frankly. He is every bit as culpable as Mr. Espinoza," the judge said.
Smith was initially charged with murder, a first-degree felony, but it was reduced as part of a plea deal that also dismissed eight other charges.
Deputy Salt Lake County district attorney Shane Cohen said after the two men began shooting at Wood's home, the gun jammed and Espinoza and Smith could have decided to leave at that point, but they didn't.
They drove to the end of the street, came back and continued to fire at the home — even though Henry was then standing outside. After Henry was hit, Cohen said they did not stop to help, but drove away.
"This is a callous and a cowardly act," he said.
A friend of Henry told police that, prior to the shooting, Smith had been giving Henry "a hard time." After the shooting, Smith sent the friend a message stating, "ur homie jus got smoked," charging documents say.
Josh Wood said his son was the heart of their family. He said he hoped to mend his relationship with his son, but that hope was taken from him when the teen was killed. The father said the COVID-19 pandemic made the family feel isolated while they were grieving.
"Losing Henry created a void that we can never heal," he said.
Smith's attorney, Michael Langford, said his client "sobbed" as the attorney read him statements from the victim's family.
Smith told the Wood family he feels bad, and hopes they can forgive him.
Espinoza did not speak at the sentencing, but his attorney Christopher Manberg read a letter written by Espinoza, saying, "I regret everything that happened and I wish I could go back in time and change my actions. I hope that Henry's family and friends can find peace, and can one day forgive."
The attorney said Espinoza expresses "tremendous remorse." He said the incident was a "reckless, senseless, stupid accident that had the most tragic of consequences."
He said his client agreed to go with Smith, someone he had just met through a mutual friend, to scare Henry Wood. He said as Smith was driving away from the scene, Espinoza began searching online whether someone could die from being hit by a .22-caliber bullet.
"I just know that Emmanuel in his heart of hearts is deeply sorry for what he's done," Manberg said.
Smith's mom, Dina Marie Smith, was charged with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony, after charging documents said she lied to officers investigating Henry's death. The charges against her were dismissed in October by prosecutors.
