MMA FIGHTER JARROD WYATT SENTENCED TO 47 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON

 Crescent City, CA- MMA fighter Jarrod Wyatt was sentenced Thursday to 4 consecutive life sentences for the murder and mutilation of his friend and sparring partner Taylor Powell.
 
The judge denied our camera request but it was an emotional sentencing for the victim’s family. Taylor Powell’s mom was fighting back tears when she told the courtroom that she will never get to hear her son say I love you again. District Attorney Jon Alexander says,

"Do I think justice was done today?  Yes I believe that"

Justice for the family of Taylor Powell. His killer, 29 year old Jarrod Wyatt will serve at least 47 years in a California State Prison for the murder.

Alexander recalls the emotional day in court.

"Listening to the Powell and Hawkins family you could not help but feel heartbroken for their loss."

Wyatt was charged with first degree murder and 3 counts of mayhem, when he killed and mutilated Powell’s body in March of 2010.
When investigators found Powell’s body, they say his beating heart had been ripped out, and that he was still alive when Wyatt cut out his eyes and tongue.
Wyatt's lawyer says it was the drugs that caused Wyatt’s horrific actions.

"Psilocybin mushrooms, some sort of rum, marijuana, and the whole thing occurred at a home that was a marijuana grow."

Thursday in court Wyatt was sentenced to 25 years to life for first-degree murder. The judge added 21 more years for mayhem before he's eligible for parole.

Fallman still has hope for his client’s future.

"Given that he had no prior record he may be able to favorably impress a parole board some place down the line."

Wyatt, just a few feet from his victim's family, appeared in shackles, somber, while Powell’s mother publicly mourned the loss of her son. Alexander says despite the sentence, there were two losses in this case.

 
"I don't think anytime you have the death of one boy and the loss of another in prison for the rest of his life, the devastation of two families, I don't know how we can quantify that in wins or losses."
 
Wyatt is still in custody at the Del Norte County jail, just waiting to be transported to San Quentin State Prison where he will be serving his sentence.