On November 12, 2024, a Galveston County jury sentenced Jaron Bryce Morgan, 24, to 27 years in prison for the 2022 shooting death of his childhood friend Dvonte Sutton in Dickinson, Texas.
On March 5, 2022, Dickinson police responded to a shooting call and discovered Sutton with a gunshot wound in the neck. Sutton’s girlfriend immediately identified Morgan, his childhood best friend, as the shooter.
An eyewitness tracked Morgan and his girlfriend McKenzie Colonna-McBrayer’s vehicle, providing details about the items discarded inside. K-9s retrieved the gloves, hoodie, and gun used in the shooting.
Morgan told police that the shooting was the result of a dispute over $40 that he believed Sutton had stolen, as well as feelings of disrespect.
Further investigation revealed that Morgan had accused Sutton of theft the night before, and the two had a brief altercation before Morgan shot Sutton in his driveway.
During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from witnesses such as Sutton’s girlfriend and an eyewitness who tracked down the fleeing suspects.
Colonna-McBrayer, Morgan’s girlfriend, declined to testify and faced contempt. Medical testimony indicated that Sutton may have been on his knees when he was shot, implying that Morgan stood over him during the murder.
Morgan was also on bond for previous charges, including assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and drug possession, at the time he killed Sutton, according to the jury.
The prosecutors contended that Morgan’s history of violent behavior justified a lengthy prison sentence. After an hour and a half of deliberation, the jury returned a 27-year sentence.
The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney praised the Dickinson Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harris County Medical Examiner for their efforts in investigating and prosecuting the case.
