Robert K. Garner on Friday entered a guilty plea for the reckless homicide of Cody Glover in 2017, but his sentence 3-year sentence was diverted — meaning the case can be dismissed if Garner does not violate the diversion terms. Last month, after a 5-day trial, Garner was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter in case.
The jury in Garner’s trial could not come to a unanimous conclusion on the possible charge of reckless homicide, leaving the possibility for the prosecution to pursue that charge. Garner’s entered his plea Friday during a court appearance in front of Judge Tyler Gill.
The recommended sentence is 3 years, but that is being diverted. That means Garner will not serve jail time and the case can be dismissed if Garner complies with all the requirements over the next 3 years.
“There will be no judgment or conviction entered if that happened,” Gill said.
If Garner violates the diversion at any point during the next 3 years, the Commonwealth has the right to revoke the diversion. Violations include driving under the influence, which Garner was found guilty of during his October trial. Garner owes approximately $1,500 related to that charge.
Just before Garner enter his plea Friday, Glover’s family was able to share their final remarks on the case and the impact Glover’s death has had on their life.
Vicki Jones, Glover’s mother, expressed the the pain that she felt the entire time.
“The pain that your choices have caused to me and my family is a pain I would not wish on an enemy,” Jones said. “Through this whole trial you painted Cody as if he was a drug addict, and you and I know that’s not true.”
Jones said that she had a drug addiction of her own prior to Glover’s death. Since February 2018, she has been clean in a promise to her son.
“It was that night that I made a vow with myself and Cody that I would never ever put another substance in my body,” Jones said. “Now I work at an alcohol and drug treatment facility where I tell other people Cody’s story and your story and in hopes, I can help save another person’s life.”
