'Barely starting to live': 17-year-old sentenced for shooting, killing his younger stepbrother

DUCHESNE — Stormi Hass said her son, Malaki Porter, would show visitors around their home, specifically displaying his animals with their quirky nicknames, and make food for anyone who came over.

Learning he had been shot and killed by her stepson, Haegan Sagers, in their home turned her world upside down. She said the mental toll from losing her 14-year-old son "has almost been unbearable."

"The loss of my son has been extremely hard on me. Because not only did I lose one child that day, I lost both of my boys that day," she said.

Hass said she struggles to care for herself or leave the house, which has also had a financial toll on the family. She also said it has caused problems in her family relationships, she has lost friends, and people don't know how to approach her.

Brothers

Sagers, 17, was sentenced on Tuesday to between two and 15 years in prison for manslaughter, a second-degree felony, after admitting to shooting and killing his stepbrother.

Hass said the situation is frustrating because Malaki and Sagers were raised around firearms and knew about firearm safety. She said she still cares for Sagers but wants him to be held accountable, serve time and receive help.

"Haegan had no qualms about pulling the trigger and stated he wanted to harm Malaki, knowing the repercussions of what firearms can inflict on another," she said.

Eighth District Judge Samuel Chiara said this is one of the most difficult sentences he has given, noting that homicides are difficult because they are permanent.

"Everybody knew both of these boys and saw them as brothers," he said.

Chiara said he wanted the best outcome from Sagers — noting that the worst outcome would be adult prison — but that the sentence is not just for him; it's also for the victims. So, he ordered a prison sentence while also expressing hope that the full sentence would be served in the juvenile system.

Malaki's sister, Sighlee Garcia, said Malaki cared deeply, was "the greatest brother in the world," and would heat up meals for Sagers when he started working, often trying to improve their relationship.

"Malaki cared deeply about everything — about his animals, about his friends, his brother," she said.

Garcia said she often thinks about how, if she were there when the shooting happened, Malaki might still be here.

"Malaki was just barely starting to live, and so was Haegan; but he (Haegan) took a life, one that's dear and precious," Garcia said.

Intent to harm

Michael Goodrich, deputy Duchesne County attorney, said prosecutors don't believe the homicide was premeditated. He also said they believe that Sagers' recounting of the shooting during a second interview was accurate, even if there were inaccuracies during his first police interview.

In that first interview, Sagers reported that Malaki had come out with a gun, and it went off accidentally while Sagers was trying to take the gun. Later, he admitted that he had taken the gun from Malaki, who had not made any threats, but he assumed his stepbrother meant to harm him. Sagers said he backed up, turned the gun toward his brother and chose to pull the trigger while the gun was pointed at Malaki's lower left shoulder.

Goodrich said prosecutors believe Sagers did not intend to kill Malaki but to hurt him. He said the investigation suggests the gun was over 4 feet from Malaki when it went off, meaning it did not go off in a struggle. He also said the investigation included interviews from two people who said shortly before the shooting, Sagers had made comments about hurting and wanting to kill Malaki, which prosecutors believe shows "a predilection toward violent problem-solving."

Related:

Teen pleads guilty to manslaughter in shooting death of his stepbrother

Haegan Sagers, now 17, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death last year of his 14-year-old stepbrother in Duchesne.

Goodrich argued in favor of the prison sentence, saying Sagers would likely not actually serve the time in the Utah State Correctional Facility since Utah law requires minors to be housed in the juvenile justice system until they are 25. He said Sagers is less likely to hurt himself or others while in custody, noting that Hass had expressed she would not feel safe around him.

"I'm making that recommendation because we believe Mr. Sagers needs more time to think about what has been done and the impact that it's had on others," Goodrich said.

'Terrible accident'

Sagers' attorney, John Easton, argued that there is no guarantee that Sagers would be kept in juvenile detention; one incident could lead to his client being transferred to the adult prison. He asked, instead, for five years of probation after two years in juvenile secure care, calling that a "medium ground" with both punishment and hope for the future.

Easton said Sagers has grandparents who are willing to care for him. He added that his client is doing really well at the juvenile facility, where he has exhibited good behavior and is on the youth council that helps plan meals and activities.

"This is a unique situation. This is a young man," he said. "Prison changes people. I would hate to see that for Haegan."

Barbara Hacking, Sagers' grandmother and official guardian, said she had been trying to bring him to live with them before the shooting, knowing there was tension between him and Malaki. She said the whole thing could have been prevented, calling it a "terrible accident that should have never happened."

"Haegen is not a mean person whatsoever; Haegen is not a threat to anybody. Haegen is the most loving, caring soul … there was a problem in the household," Hacking said.

Sagers told those at his sentencing that he is remorseful and sorry for the pain he caused.

"If I could say anything to Malaki, it would be how sorry I am and how we should have talked through our problems. Although he and I had our issues, he was a great friend and the best little brother you could ask for. I am very sorry," he said.

Sagers also talked about how he has worked to improve himself and prepare for the future, saying if he were given the chance to serve probation, he would "give 110%." He said he wants to be an asset to the community and his family.

"I have realized how important my actions and reactions are, and how they can have lasting effects on me and the other people around me, and how important it is to recognize how to handle … difficult situations or difficult people," he said.

Sagers said he hopes the family can forgive him and recover.

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