Prosecution cross-examines Samson Garner in trial over alleged Smith Rock mass shooting attempt
Claire Elmer
Warning: This story contains graphic discussion of violent threats and suicide. Viewer and reader discretion is advised.
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The trial of Samson Garner — the man accused of planning a mass shooting at Smith Rock in late 2023 — continued Tuesday at the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend, with Garner returning to the stand to testify in his own defense.
After a morning of testimony by a digital forensics expert and a forensic psychologist, prosecutors had their chance to cross-examine Garner. The state spent hours confronting Garner about threatening messages he sent to both his now ex-wife and Garner’s own friends in the months leading up to his arrest.
In his testimony, Garner repeatedly referenced his heavy alcohol use and depression as reasons why he wrote the extremely graphic messages.
Through their questioning of the defendant, the prosecution illustrated a timeline of events in Garner’s life over 2022 and 2023. The state questioned Garner about the times of turmoil in his life, implying they allegedly aligned with Garner’s numerous purchases of firearms.
Garner testified about the decline of his marriage, mental health, and personal relationships with family and friends. Both the state and Garner read aloud some of his most graphic messages in court.
In a text to his friend, Garner described how he should have cut off his head and would love to hear the sound his friend’s wife would make when he did it.
Portions of Garner’s email to his ex-girlfriend were read, in which he detailed shooting attendees of the Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic in October 2023, and wanted to watch climbers see their loved ones being attacked while helpless. Though Garner testified these were only intrusive thoughts and nightmares that horrified him, the prosecution noted Garner never described his violent ideologies with those words in the email — instead, Garner used the terms ‘fun’ and ‘fantasy’.
As the day neared its end, the prosecution’s line of questioning focused on Garner’s fallout with his family, mounting credit card debt, and trip to Central Oregon in which he was arrested.
The trial is expected to continue through the end of the week.