Specialist Patrick Byrne pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a 20-year prison term for the fatal beating of Denise Smith in Tacoma, Washington. (Smith: Obituary; Screenshot: KING/YouTube)
A U.S. Army Ranger has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal beating of a security guard while trying to gain entry to a building in Tacoma. WashingtonProsecutors stated that the brutal attack lasted for 10 minutes, despite the victim's attempts to escape.
Patrick Philip Byrne, 29, admitted guilt in March to first-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Denise Smith on July 18, 2021. murder Byrne, who was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma at the time, and Smith, who had recently been hired as a security guard in downtown Tacoma, were involved in the tragic incident.
According to a report from Law&Crime, Byrne was drinking at a bar with friends when a physical altercation occurred. He believed one of the individuals from the fight had entered the building where Smith worked, leading to the confrontation.
Surveillance footage revealed that Smith attempted to intervene, but Byrne assaulted her, causing severe injuries. He also utilized a set of keys to harm her, neglecting her attempts to escape.
The assault persisted for eight minutes, followed by two minutes of strangulation.
Following the attack, Byrne broke a window with a chair, exited the building, and reportedly leapt from a height, resulting in a brain injury. He sought medical assistance, falsely claiming to have been assaulted. Paramedics later discovered Smith's lifeless body.
Smith was discovered unconscious and covered in blood by a colleague, who then alerted emergency services. She was pronounced dead at the scene, having only been in the role for a few days.
During his trial, Byrne expressed remorse and apologized to Smith's family.
Byrne stated, “I regret going to the bar and being out that night. None of this would have occurred if I had stayed home. It is a tragic loss for the world that Denise Smith, a remarkable woman, is no longer with us.” according to The News Tribune. “I wish I had never ever even been out here, then none of this would have happened. And Denise Smith, a great and wonderful woman, to be sure, she would still be alive and part of the world for much, much longer.”
Byrne’s lawyer said his client decided to join the Army after 9/11 and has a history of head injuries, including a “blast concussion” and a hard fall when his parachute failed to open during a plane jump, as reported by the News Tribune. The head injuries might have affected his judgment, according to his lawyer.
Smith’s father, who identified himself as a veteran, stated in a letter to the judge that his daughter was simply carrying out her duties and not causing any trouble.
“I, a U.S. Veteran myself, acknowledge that Patrick Philip Byrne is one of the Army’s most highly trained soldiers: An ‘Army Ranger,'” Charles E. Reagins wrote. “Byrne's actions toward my daughter were brutal, savage, harsh, cruel, unnecessary, and worthless! It was completely cold-blooded murder.”