Pocono News Section

Snyder County Man Sentenced for Murder

Snyder County Man Sentenced for Murder - Monday, January 26, 2009 at 9:00PM EST

Middleburg, Snyder County-
An accused murderer avoided the death penalty thanks to a plea agreement in Snyder County Monday afternoon.

Travis Graham will spend 20-40 years in state prison for killing his girlfriend’s stepfather. The fatal shooting happened in West Perry Township, near Richfield, in March of 2008.

Police say Graham shot Jeffrey Stock with a high-powered rifle from about 200 yards away. Stock was standing on his front porch smoking a cigarette at the time.

Graham later attempted to destroy the gun by melting it with a torch.

Snyder County District Attorney Michael Sholley said, “I’m very pleased with the sentence. I think it’s appropriate under the circumstances. We believe this was an intentional killing.”

Graham’s lawyer was also happy with the deal.

Defense Attorney George Matangos said, “I myself am always thrilled when I’m able to remove the death penalty and able to save my client from the potential of a jury debating whether or not to put him to death.”

Travis Graham apologized to Jeffrey Stock’s family just before he was sentenced. At that point, the judge reminded Graham that he had no to blame for his actions, except himself.

Matangos explained, “The family has suffered a tragic loss and has been unable, I think, in such a short time to be able to deal with that loss. Nothing Travis would’ve said today would’ve changed any of that.”

Graham claims he didn’t intend to kill Jeffrey Stock, but only wanted to scare him.

Sholley noted, “He’s denied that he intended to kill, but under the circumstances, any reasonable person, doing what he did, would’ve believed that there was a risk of death, or that death would result.”

Sholley praised State Police for their investigation, which included a handwritten confession from Graham, admitting to the shooting.

The D. A. says Jeffrey Stock’s family supported his decision not to pursue the death penalty in this case.