During last week’s sentencing, Samantha’s father, Gregory Vernagallo, revealed in an emotional victim impact statement that Garnier’s rage stemmed from learning his wife was carrying a girl.
“He wanted a boy,” Vernagallo told the court. “He took a life and tried to take two more because of it.”
The court heard that Garnier’s plea deal was reached to protect the surviving children from the trauma of testifying at trial.
District Attorney Shawn Smith acknowledged the sentence was lighter than prosecutors had hoped, but emphasized the importance of sparing the girls further emotional harm.
