DELHI — Drew Garnier, 33, of Masonville, was sentenced Tuesday, May 13, to 30 years in state prison for the 2024 stabbing death of his pregnant wife and violent assault on his two daughters. In a packed Delaware County courtroom, Judge John Hubbard handed down the sentence, which includes consecutive terms and a full stay-away order prohibiting Garnier from contacting the children he maimed.
Garnier, 33, pleaded guilty on March 25 to one count of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault as part of a negotiated disposition. He was originally charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. The agreement carries a sentence of 20 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for the manslaughter charge, and two consecutive five-year terms, each followed by five years of post-release supervision, for the assaults.
District Attorney Shawn Smith described the prison term as “lengthy, but the best possible outcome under the law.” Smith said the sentence structure was not intended to minimize the harm to the children, but to structure a conviction with a guaranteed outcome: “It’s not perfect. But it is a 30-year sentence that spares the children the trauma of trial.”
‘The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do’
A victim impact statement read aloud by the slain woman’s father, gripped the courtroom. Reading from prepared remarks, he recounted the night his daughter was fatally attacked and his two granddaughters were left injured and terrified.
“This man took my daughter’s life and my unborn granddaughter’s life,” he said. “He also did harm to my granddaughters. My one granddaughter was stabbed in the eye… we still do not know if she will regain sight.”
He described a household now paralyzed by fear.
“They don’t close doors. They don’t go in the bathroom without leaving the door open. If a door shuts accidentally, they panic.”
On Sept. 5, 2024, he received a call from a Binghamton hospital asking permission to cease life-saving efforts on his daughter.
“They tried two times,” he said, his voice breaking.
The hospital staff, he said, told him it would only hurt her more to continue reviving efforts.
He has since adopted the girls.
“I’m the father now. I will protect them. I moved from Myrtle Beach and haven’t left their sides since. My life has changed forever.”
No explanation, no defense
Public Defender Joseph Ermeti said there was no clear motive for the crime and no history of substance abuse or mental illness.
“My client has no explanation. I don’t believe anybody in this room would disagree that this was extremely tragic,” Ermeti said.
Ermeti told the court, “He still refers to his wife as his best friend. We had a psychiatrist evaluate him, but there is no medical justification for what happened. He was certainly out of his mind.”
An insanity defense didn’t apply, Ermeti said.
Garnier addressed the court, expressing remorse: “I’m sorry to all my in-laws… especially my children,” he said. “I would trade my life for my wife’s. I hope someday I can make amends with my kids.”
He added, “I haven’t talked to them in eight months. I won’t force anything on them. I respect their wishes. But if they ever want to see me, I hope I’m allowed to be there for them.”
Smith requested, and Hubbard granted, a full stay-away order through 2056 — eight years past Garnier’s maximum release date. The order should protect the children until adulthood, Smith said.
“If they want contact later, they can initiate it. But until then, it should be one-way only.”
Hubbard concluded the hearing by acknowledging Garnier’s lack of prior criminal history and work history, saying it made Gariner’s action more incomprehensible.
“You took a life and injured your children,” Hubbard said. “They had a right to expect protection from you.”
Garnier refused to sign the protective orders but was served them in court.
