Sentencing of alleged gang members expected today

Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

Five alleged members of the 311 Boyz gang are expected to be sentenced this morning in connection with the July 2003 rock attack that left 17-year-old Stephen Tanner Hansen disfigured.

Under a plea agreement, the alleged attackers -- Ernest Aguilar, 17, Brandon Gallion, 16, Christopher Farley, 18, Jeff Hart, 17, Matthew Costello, 18, and Steven Gazlay, 19 -- did not admit guilt to the charges of attempted murder, battery and coercion but agreed prosecutors could prove their case at trial.

Gazlay, Costello and Aguilar have already been sentenced to probation, following stipulations in their plea agreements. District Judge Michael Cherry is expected to determine the fates of Brandon Gallion, Farley and Hart this morning after he reviews the recommendations from the Department of Parole and Probation.

Aguilar has already been sentenced to probation for up to three years, Thomas Pitaro, his attorney, said Thursday.

Sean Sullivan, the attorney representing Hart, said he will ask Cherry for probation because Hart was not directly involved in the incident.

Since his arrest, Hart has earned his high school equivalency diploma and is employed full-time as a plumber's apprentice, Sullivan said.

"Obviously this has altered his life as well as the victim's," Sullivan said.

Attorneys for Brandon Gallion and Farley were unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.

The teens were arrested on charges of throwing rocks at Hansen as he tried to leave a party he attended with Jennifer Hopkins, Gazlay's ex-girlfriend.

Hansen had to undergo two surgeries to rebuild his crushed face and another surgery for injuries to his arm.

Several witnesses were expected to testify this morning before Cherry hands down the sentences, but Hansen's attorney, Jerome Bowen, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Laurent did not return phone calls Thursday afternoon to confirm who would be speaking.

Sullivan declined to speculate on the possible outcomes of this morning's sentencing hearing.

The only alleged member of the 311 Boyz to go to trial before a Clark County jury, 19-year-old Scott Morse, was acquitted of all charges in June.

Dominic Harriman, 20, another alleged member, entered a plea agreement to a charge of conspiracy to commit coercion in connection with the Hansen attack.

He must pay a $2,000 fine and stay out of trouble for a year to avoid further punishment.

Charges of attempted murder against Anthony Gallion, 16, were dismissed May 18.