Garner tells jury a graphic email to his ex was a suicide note, not a threat
The Portland man accused of plotting a mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park in 2023 told a Deschutes County jury Monday that he never planned to carry out such a plan, insisting a disturbing email he sent to his ex-girlfriend was a suicide note rather than a threat.
Samson Garner’s testimony came in the fourth week of a trial in which the 41-year-old faces multiple attempted murder charges after authorities found him with guns, ammunition and tactical gear at a Central Oregon trailhead last October.
Garner testified Monday that he was suicidal and had no intention of going to Smith Rock State Park or shooting anyone at the Craggin’ Classic rock climbing event in October 2023.
- Bentz defends ending in-person town halls, citing ‘rude, demeaning behavior’
Garner is facing four counts of attempted murder with multiple victims, eight counts of attempt to commit a felony and 15 counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He has pleaded not guilty. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detained him Oct. 19, 2023 at Maston Trailhead, where officers found him with tactical gear, guns and ammunition in his car. On Sept. 30, he sent a graphic email to his ex-girlfriend, Penny Gneiting, describing his desire to kill people at the Craggin’ Classic rock climbing event at Smith Rock State Park, held starting Oct. 20, 2023…