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Judge Boyd sentences Marlon Daniels to 18 years in prison in fatal-intoxication case
Summary
Judge Stephanie Boyd sentenced Marlon Daniels to 18 years in prison after Daniels pleaded guilty in two cause numbers; the court imposed fines, an affirmative deadly-weapon finding and recommended therapeutic-community treatment in prison.
Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court sentenced Marlon Daniels to 18 years in prison after Daniels pleaded guilty in two cause numbers related to a deadly-weapon offense.
The sentence, announced in open court, follows Daniels’s guilty pleas and the plea agreement the court accepted. "Please, if you're gonna be drinking at all, even if you think it's just gonna be 1 drink, it's better just to have a designated driver," Boyd told the defendant while addressing the circumstances that led to the offenses. The judge said Daniels accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and waived his right to appeal as part of the plea bargain.
The court followed the plea bargain as stated for cause number 2024CR009218 and ordered an 18-year prison term. The judge ordered a concurrent 18-year sentence in cause number 2024CR009219, imposed a $2,000 fine in the first cause number, and ordered restitution of $60 to the Department of Public Safety for testing in the second cause number. The court also made an affirmative finding that a deadly weapon was involved and recommended placement in a therapeutic-community program while in custody. The judge directed that Daniels receive credit for any time already served on the cases.
During the hearing, counsel for the defense and probation raised technical issues with the presentence investigation (PSI) report: defense counsel noted the PSI incorrectly listed combat-related service and duplicated misdemeanor priors; the court acknowledged those objections on the record. Defense counsel also confirmed the defendant understood that entering the plea waived his right to appeal.
After the court imposed sentence, counsel discussed pending motions and administrative steps required because Daniels will be in custody. The judge allowed the record to reflect that victim-impact participants were present and that medical staff would examine a person in the courtroom before victim-impact statements proceeded.
The court’s oral remarks emphasized accountability and treatment: Boyd said the therapeutic-community placement is "designed to help you maintain your sobriety, address any type of mental health or substance abuse issues you may have so that, ultimately, when you're released from prison, you will maintain your sobriety." The court noted that the therapeutic-community recommendation does not increase the length of the custodial term.
No appeal will proceed on the plea-bargained allegations because the defendant waived appeal rights when he entered the plea.
