A former Fort Lewis College football player involved in a fatal shooting in March 2015 at the Iron Horse Inn had his prison sentenced reduced by one year Friday in District Court.
Aaron Williams, then 23, accompanied Tyree Ogsbury-Jones, also a former FLC football player, to the Iron Horse Inn at 5800 Main Ave. on March 16, 2015, where Ogsbury-Jones shot his former roommate, Brian Keith Moore, and Moore’s roommate, Daniel Johnson.
The shooting happened over an argument over marijuana plants. Moore survived, but Johnson was killed.
Williams stole a tablet computer from the Iron Horse Inn and pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and Ogsbury-Jones received 20 years for second-degree murder and 15 years for felony burglary.
On Friday, Rick Carney advocated for a shorter sentence for his friend.
“I met Aaron about a year before the incident after my son, who was 8 at the time, got invited to work out with the football team,” he said. “He was always a sincere, nice kid. He made a mistake.”
Carney said he does not believe Williams is a danger to society.
“I would welcome him into my home in a minute, and I have two children,” he said.
Williams addressed the court, touting the lessons he learned over the last three years in prison and his aspirations for the future.
“I’ve had no institutional write-ups,” he said. “I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, but that’s no excuse. I truly feel remorseful for what happened. ... I think for myself now and don’t allow anyone else to make my decisions for me.”
He said that he plans to help underprivileged children when he is released from prison.
Johnson’s daughter, Megan Moore (no relation to Brian Moore), pleaded with the court to deny the request for a sentence reduction.
“It’s great to hear what he plans to do when he gets out of prison ... but my dad is no longer in my life,” she said. “It’s something we live with every day. Nothing he does when he gets out of prison will change that.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
