Father sentenced to 25 years for son’s death

Kim Smith

Tuesday, March 21, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

A Las Vegas man accused of killing his infant son was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday, one day before his 22nd birthday.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure sentenced David Horner under the terms agreed to in a plea bargain and after hearing from a highly distraught Horner and the child's mother, Meredith Patrick.

A tearful Patrick told Bonaventure she hoped Horner would be sentenced to the fullest extent of the law for taking away her son.

Horner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and child abuse and neglect in connection with the August death of 3-month-old Christian Horner.

The baby died as a result of being shaken violently by someone who was left alone with him and had been known to scream obscenities at the baby when he cried too much, Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said.

Horner, who alternately stared at the ceiling and glared toward the audience and Patrick, sobbed throughout his statement to the judge.

"I didn't do this on purpose," Horner said, his voice choking with emotion and his fists clenching and unclenching. "He was my baby, too."

Bonaventure said he hoped the sentence would bring some closure for Patrick and her family.

Horner was given 10 years on the manslaughter charge and 15 years on the child abuse charge. The sentences are to be served one after the other, and Horner won't be eligible for parole for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay $4,800 in restitution and given 205 days credit for time served.