Teen-Ager Sentenced in Baseball-Bat Attack on Boy

A teen-ager who struck 9-year-old Joshua Garrett in the head with a baseball bat, causing severe injuries, was sentenced Wednesday to six years in the California Youth Authority.

Stephen Boyle, 18, who was 17 at the time of the July 26, 1989, incident, received credit for almost a year he has spent in jail since his arrest a day after the assault.

The Juvenile Court ordered that Boyle be tried as an adult, and he pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to assault with a deadly weapon and admitted the allegation that the victim suffered great bodily injuries.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos could have sentenced Boyle to seven years in adult prison.

No fine was imposed.

The boy suffered skull fractures and was in critical condition and a coma for days. Doctors marvel, however, that Joshua Garrett has recovered substantially.

His mother, Theresa Garrett, said her son has to take medication daily and has suffered immense pain from the attack and recovery.

Boyle’s attorney, Jeff Reilly, successfully argued for the youth authority term.

He said Boyle has expressed remorse and a desire to go to college.

“We want to make sure that it never happens again, but we don’t want to ruin his life,” said Reilly.

“We can’t take back what happened, nor ever explain why this tragedy occurred to this boy, but we can make sure it never happens again, and sentencing him to CYA will do it,” said the defense attorney.

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Davidson urged a prison sentence, citing the nature of the offense.