Graham sentenced for Stock murder

MIDDLEBURG - On Monday, the Snyder County Court of Common Pleas was packed full of family and friends of a Richfield man who was shot and killed by Travis D. Graham on March 22, 2008.

The 26-year-old former Richfield resident was sentenced on Monday by President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. to serve 20 to 40 years in a state correctional facility, followed by a consecutive 10-year probationary sentence.

Graham had previously pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other related charges stemming from the shooting death of Jeffrey Stock, 46.

According to court documents, on the night of the shooting, Graham was involved in a verbal argument with a relative of Stock.

Police allege Graham got a high-powered rifle from his house, then went to a road across from Stock's house. When Graham saw a figure on the porch, he shot Stock, police said.

After shooting Stock, Graham attempted to disassemble his rifle, using a torch to melt parts of the weapon. The remains of the rifle and scope later were found by officers with Graham's assistance, court documents indicate.

Police said Graham admitted to Stock's stepdaughter that he shot Stock.

Prior to sentencing, defense attorney George H. Matangos said his client has taken responsibility for what he did.

"He made a horrible choice and can't take it back ... he really truly believes he was not trying to cause the death (of Stock)," Matangos said of his client's intentions.

When asked by Woelfel if he had anything to say, Graham replied, "Just that I'm sorry for what I (have) done. If I could take it back, I would take it back."

Snyder County District Attorney Michael Sholley said Stock's sisters had prepared written statements for the court, which basically stated that "sorry does not bring the victim back."

Woelfel took some time to read over the statements, then listened to Stock's significant other, Brenda Saver, express her grief of losing Stock.

Saver said her life has changed forever, and Graham had taken everything from her by killing Stock.

Woelfel then looked at a written statement Graham gave to police, in which the defendant said he didn't mean to kill Stock, only scare him.

"Maybe you didn't intend to kill him," Woelfel said to Graham, "but you aimed a high-powered rifle at him."

"You have no one to blame but yourself," Woelfel added.

"The fact that you were intoxicated at the time is no excuse. Alcohol and firearms don't mix too well," Woelfel said.

"I guess you will get to think for the next 40 years whether your anger warranted what happened," he added, referring to a verbal argument that occurred on the night of the incident between Graham and a relative of Stock.