Man sentenced in ax attack

Scott Tyler Stapley, 22, was sentenced to three years to life in prison for slashing a 17-year-old male with a medieval-style battle ax in a dispute involving a buddy's girlfriend.

A jury found Stapley guilty of attempted murder, a first-degree felony, in January, after deliberating for almost four hours.

Third District Judge Judith Atherton on Friday also ordered that Stapley repay $2,848 to the state's Crime Victim Reparation Fund.

The case of Cody Jesse Augustine, 21, Stapley's co-defendant in the case, is ongoing. Augustine is charged with attempted murder with injury, a first-degree felony.

Police said Stapley whacked the Kearns teenager with the four-bladed ax while Augustine stabbed the teen repeatedly on July 29 outside the teen's home. The teen suffered injuries that were life-threatening, including a deep gash on his neck that required 300 stitches to repair, but he recovered.

Court documents state that Augustine was jealous of the teenager because of some text messages involving a girl from whom Augustine was under the impression that he had contracted a sexually transmitted disease, which she had gotten from the teenage male.

Police maintain that Stapley and Augustine are associated with Juggalos, or fans of the rap group Insane Clown Posse, which police here consider a gang because law enforcement links it to a series of criminal activities. Police said a necklace of a "hatchet man" found at the scene and a bumper sticker showing the Juggalo image helped them identify and arrest Stapley.

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