Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Edward Kennedy, 73, received 15 years to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering Riley Nagle in 2020.
- Riley Nagle's mother and father described him as kind and caring during Kennedy's sentencing.
- Judge Paul Parker rejected Kennedy's self-defense claim, telling Nagle's family he did nothing to justify his death.
SALT LAKE CITY — The mother of Riley Nagle, a 27-year-old man who was stabbed and killed, said her son showed concern for others and made them feel important.
"He was sunshine and joy in human form. His quiet, gentle demeanor was a characteristic he carried throughout his life. … His laughter echoed in our lives and is now but a memory. Riley was kind and had a huge heart — a heart you, Edward Kennedy, silenced with a knife in your hand," Janna Kontgis said.
Kontgis spoke on Monday at the sentencing for Kennedy, who was found guilty of murdering Nagle on Sept. 2, 2020, at a jury trial in September.
Third District Judge Paul Parker sentenced Kennedy, 73, to 15 years to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony, and zero to five years for possession of a dangerous weapon as a restricted person, a third-degree felony. Those sentences will run at the same time.
The judge told Nagle's family that he did not believe Nagle threatened Kennedy, saying he believed testimony presented by officers and others at the trial over Kennedy's testimony. He said he wanted Nagle's family to know that he didn't think the young man did anything that would justify killing him.
Nagle's mother sat with many other friends and family, filling the seats behind the prosecutors while the seats behind Kennedy were mostly empty.
Kennedy said at his trial that Nagle had been staying with him a few nights a week over a period of months, and the night he stabbed him Nagle had stepped into his space more than he wanted, showering at his home and getting into Kennedy's bed.
While motioning at the many people behind her at the sentencing, Kontgis said that her son was never homeless.
"He has a large, loving family and tribe," she said.
She said he was even a loyal friend to Kennedy, but the man took away his life of potential — opportunities to finish school, get married and have his own family. Nagle's mom said now he is no longer there to listen to his siblings, be "Uncle Riley" to his nieces and nephews, or give huge bear hugs to family members.
"Four years later, we continue to feel the ripples of the stone you threw our way that day. On Sept. 2, 2020, our lives were fractured. We all lost a sense of trust and peace, which has now been replaced by anxiety, fear and depression," Kontgis said.
She said she did not get a chance for last words, hugs or "I love yous."
"A parent should never have to bury a child, especially one that was brutally murdered over a cellphone, a phone he never took from you. There is no real way to make this right," she said.
She said there is justice in knowing Kennedy will never be a free man, asking the judge for the largest sentence possible.
"We will cherish our memories, speak his name and tell his stories and continue to live our lives for him. We will always hold his place at our table. My son, you will always be in our hearts. This is something no one can ever take from us," she said.
Samuel Sutton, deputy Salt Lake County attorney, said he does not think there was any basis for Kennedy's self-defense claim at trial. He said the loss of Nagle is heart-wrenching, and the crime was senseless.
"This really is just a deep tragedy all around," he said.
Bret Nagle, Riley Nagle's father, said he still wonders every day if he told his son he loved him as he left. He said he still feels the pain of a broken heart, like some of his life was snuffed out. He said his son "had a glow about him."
He said his son had no obligation to make sure Kennedy took his medications, but Riley Nagle told his father he had made a promise to Kennedy's sister that he would try to make sure Kennedy took his medications, and that is why he went to the man's home.
Bret Nagle said Kennedy "deserves to rot in prison," and said no one wants to be around a human that can "so flippantly" take a life.
Kennedy declined to speak at his sentencing. His attorney, Michael Misner, said attorneys on both sides had agreed to suggest the sentences run at the same time.
