# Man Stabs Aunt's Boyfriend Before Fleeing for Beer

> Utah man sentenced to prison after fatally stabbing aunt's boyfriend in apartment argument.
- Title: Man Stabs Aunt's Boyfriend Before Fleeing for Beer | Shortify
- Summary: Utah man sentenced to prison after fatally stabbing aunt's boyfriend in apartment argument.
- Keywords: domestic violence, fatal stabbing, manslaughter, sentenced, utah, Law & Crime
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/man-stabbed-his-aunts-boyfriend-before-fleeing-the-apartment-to-go-buy-more-beer-thinking-he-was-just-fine
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: domestic violence, fatal stabbing, manslaughter, sentenced, utah, crime, news
## Conviction Details
Deon Jennings, 35, was convicted by a jury in August of stabbing his aunt's boyfriend, 59-year-old Willie Houston, to death.
## Jury's Self-Defense Ruling
Jurors reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter, believing Jennings acted in 'imperfect self-defense.'

> imperfect self-defense
## Discovery of Victim
Police responded to a call from the Aspenwood Apartments in West Valley City, Utah, on April 30, 2022, finding Houston bleeding from his back and neck.
## Victim Identification
Houston identified Jennings as his attacker before being taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
## Fleeing Scene
Jennings fled the scene after stabbing Houston, believing the older man was not badly hurt.
## Beer Purchase Plan
Jennings left the scene to buy beer, thinking he was just fine after the altercation.
## Police Investigation
West Valley City police named Jennings as a suspect days later after he called 911 but did not provide a location.
## Changing Story
Jennings changed his story during a 2023 hearing, claiming he acted in self-defense but did not intend to hurt Houston.
## Legal Challenge
In March 2026, a judge ruled the prosecution must disprove Jennings' self-defense claim but found the stabbing was not justified.
## Sentencing
Jennings received a prison sentence of one to 15 years with credit for 1,659 days spent in the Salt Lake City Jail.
## Apology Statement
Jennings expressed remorse, saying, 'I think it would be very important to explain that I regret the events that took place.'

> I think it would be very important to explain that I regret the events that took place.
## Niece's Testimony
Houston's niece stated Jennings had no remorse and would not have contacted police without her urging.

> I called him repeatedly, I reached out to him repeatedly and I connected the dots between that. It was never him.
## Prosecution Stance
Prosecutors argued Jennings deserved a prison sentence consistent with the jury's manslaughter verdict.
## Final Sentence
Jennings was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison with credit for 1,659 days spent in the Salt Lake City Jail.
## Key takeaway

Deon Jennings, 35, received a prison sentence for fatally stabbing his aunt's boyfriend, Willie Houston, in a domestic dispute.