Stock gets two years for negligent homicide
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After pleading guilty to three felonies last month – negligent homicide and two counts of aggravated assault – Billy Jack Stock, 29, of Safford was sentenced to two years in prison by Judge R. Douglas Holt on Nov. 17.
Holt also sentenced Stock to enroll in an inpatient alcohol treatment program upon his release from prison and to serve five years on intensive probation.
He was taken into custody after the judgement to immediately begin serving his sentence.
Stock was originally charged with 10 felony counts, including manslaughter, stemming from a single-vehicle rollover off Bryce/Eden Road that occurred April 6, 2007, and took the life of Jason Grugle of Saint Johns.
Grugle was one of seven people ejected from the Chevy Blazer that Stock was driving. Three children, ages 9 to 14, were among those ejected.
The Department of Public Safety’s crime lab analysis of Stock’s blood taken on the evening of the accident showed a blood-alcohol concentration of .219. A BAC of .15 or higher is considered an extreme DUI.
Special Prosecutor Matt Clifford tried the case for the state due to a conflict with the Graham County Attorney’s office.
County Attorney Kenny Angle said Stock was previously a client of his from years ago, so his department needed to find a special prosecutor not associated with the County Attorney’s office to try the case.
Clifford said he was satisfied with the plea agreement which stipulated Stock serve two years in prison. He added that Stock will go through an inpatient alcohol treatment program and be on intensive probation for five years after he is released.
While on probation, Stock will not be allowed to ingest any alcohol or illegal drugs. Clifford said if Stock is caught violating any rules of his probation, he would immediately be placed into custody and the probation revocation process would begin.
If Stock is found in violation of his probation, he would face an additional two to 8.75 years in prison.
