Army Ranger sentenced to 20 years for killing security guard

Specialist Patrick Byrne, a Ranger, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for brutally attacking and killing civilian security guard Denise Smith in July 2021. Byrne pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after assaulting Smith by dragging her, stabbing her with keys, and strangling her. The incident occurred after Byrne had been in a fight and suffered a head injury while drinking with other Rangers. Despite defense claims of a brain injury causing the attack, prosecutors argued that voluntary intoxication played a role. Byrne will be administratively separated from the Army following his trial. Smith's family expressed mixed feelings about the sentence, emphasizing her kind nature and the impact of her loss.

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