______. ___ _______ MACOMB – After spending 844 days in the McDonough County Jail, following a March 19 guilty plea to second-degree murder for the Feb. 7, 2023 stabbing death of her husband, Portia Garrison was sentenced to four years in prison May 30 in McDonough County Circuit Court.
Following statements by Garrison and Evelyn Morens, Garrison's aunt who will take Garrison into her Chicagoland home following her release, and a victim impact statement from Ricky Haymer's mother, Ludella Williams, Judge Nigel Graham took a 45-minute recess to consider statements, a report from a doctor hired by the defense and other information before handing down the sentence.
'No one wins. This case is a tragedy, especially for the children. They lost their father, and they've been without their mother. Ms. Williams lost her child, and her pain is unimaginable,' Graham told the court prior to announcing the sentence.
Garrison, 30, was originally charged with first-degree murder for stabbing her husband, Rickey Haymer, 28, at their home in Macomb on Feb. 7, 2023. At Friday's sentencing, McDonough County State's Attorney Matt Kwacala asked the court for a 16-year sentence. In Illinois, persons convicted of second-degree murder can serve 50 percent of their sentence. Graham sentenced Garrison to four years, with credit for time served, which means the 30-year-old will not have to serve time in the Illinois Department of Corrections (50 percent/two years; however, she has spent over two years in the McDonough County Jail).
Graham said the court took into consideration the fact that Garrison had no prior criminal history, the domestic violence arguments presented, the pre-sentence investigation and statements made in court. A hang-up for the judge was the conflicting statements made by Garrison immediately after the incident, and seven months later.
'In her first statement to police after the incident, she told police that she and Ricky had been drinking and there was an argument about his infidelities. This statement was not indicative of the need to defend herself. She took the time to retrieve the knife and she made this statement before she knew that her husband was dead,' Graham pointed out. 'Seven months after, when she was mounting a defense and was aware of what she did, then the abusive relationship was outlined and she poked him with the knife to get him to leave. The statements provided conflicted, and the first statement carries more weight. That is not to discount the statements of domestic violence.'
Before to the sentencing, Garrison's attorney, Kurt Dittmer of LaHarpe, stressed that the law recognizes that second-degree murder is probational, and shared that Garrison was shocked that she did what she did. Garrison also told the court that Haymer frequently 'laid his hands on her' during their relationship, yet despite of the abuse reported, she's hurt that he's gone and she 'loved him.'
'There was a strong provocation and she was acting under intense passion,' Dittmer said in his statement to the court. 'Portia suffered from many years of domestic violence. Attempts to leave, attempts to stay. This is why we're here today.'
Haymer's mother appeared via Zoom to provide a victim impact statement, addressing both the judge and Garrison in her remarks. Williams told the court she was heartbroken, depressed and hurt as a result of her son's murder, and that she never thought her son's life would be cut short by someone he loved.
'My son will not see his sons grow up. I can't hug him or holler at him. My son's death has broken me,' Williams cried. 'You took Ricky away from everyone. You knew he was a great father and he didn't treat anyone unfairly. You took my baby from me and you killed a piece of me. I loved you like my own daughter. And now I'm going to leave this in God's hands.'
After the court adjourned, Kwacala told The Community News Brief and other local media that this was a tough case, echoing Graham's comments that no one wins in this situation. Kwacala also stressed that anyone aware of an individual in an abusive relationship to help them get assistance to get out safely.
'While most do not end in a death, some do, like this,' he concluded. 'If you or someone you know is in a toxic, violent relationship, please try to get help.'
Outside the courthouse, Garrison's family celebrated the outcome, with her aunt telling media she is very proud of her niece and happy that she'll be coming home.
'I prayed to God before court today. Portia and her children are welcome in my home,' Morens said. 'I have a job set up for her and everything in place. She's going to have a turnaround.'
In addition to the fouryear sentence, with credit for time served, Garrison will be on supervised release for one year and must pay close to $10,000 in restitution.
