Group sentencing scheduled Aug. 6 in 311 Boyz case

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 | 8:44 a.m.

Several alleged members of the 311 Boyz gang will be sentenced together to spare Stephen Tanner Hansen, his family and other victims from having to return repeatedly to court to give statements regarding the attack that left Hansen with a crushed face.

District Judge Michael Cherry said on Tuesday he would sentence Ernest Aguilar, 17, Brandon Gallion, 16, Christopher Farley, 18, Jeff Hart, 17, Matthew Costello, 18, and Steven Gazlay, 19, on Aug. 6.

All of the teens reached plea agreements with prosecutors using Alford pleas on charges connected to the July 18, 2003 Hansen attack. Under an Alford plea a defendant does not admit guilt but agrees prosecutors could prove their case at trial.

A Clark County jury acquitted Scott Morse, 19, the only alleged member of the 311 Boyz to go to trial in the Hansen attack, of all charges on June 2.

Anthony Gallion, 16, had his charges dismissed without prejudice on May 18, meaning prosecutors still could charge him at a later date.

Dominic Harriman, 20, entered a plea agreement to a charge of conspiracy to commit coercion in connection to the Hansen attack. As long as he pays a $2,000 fine and stays out of trouble for a year he will face no further punishment.

The teens were all originally charged with attempted murder, battery and coercion in the attack under the theory that they all conspired to attack Hansen at a house party.

Gazlay, Costello and Aguilar have been sentenced to probation in line with stipulations in their plea agreements. The fates of Brandon Gallion, Farley and Hart will be determined by Cherry after he reviews the recommendations from the Department of Parole and Probation.

Under the terms of their plea agreements, the district attorney's office does not retain the right to argue at sentencing

The Department of Parole and Probation is expected to submit its recommendation for the teens at that time. Each faces a sentence of two to 15 years in prison. Lawyers for all of the teens have said they are seeking probation for their clients.