Celebrity Justice
Garrison to Plead Guilty to Felonies

GarrisonUPDATE: Just as TMZ told you earlier, Garrison's plea went down as planned. During the emotional court session, the actor faced the judge and muttered the words, "I am guilty."

Sentencing was originally set for August 1, but later moved after the family of the victim, Vahagn Setian, asked that it not be held on their departed son's birthday. It has since been changed to August 2.


TMZ has learned what Lane Garrison will do when he enters a courtroom in Beverly Hills this morning. He will plead guilty, guilty, guilty.

Garrison will plead guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter, a felony. The "Prison Break" star will also plead guilty to one count of felony DUI with bodily injury. He'll also admit his blood alcohol level was over .15, which could increase the sentence by eight months. Garrison will plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor.

Based on the pleas, Garrison faces five years and eight months in prison.

Garrison's high-powered lawyer, Harland Braun, tells TMZ absolutely no sentencing deal has been struck. Braun says, "Lane fully expects to go to prison or jail," adding, "It's very unusual for anyone in our society to accept responsibility for anything."

Braun will ask Judge Eldon Fox to set the sentencing hearing 60 days from today.



Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. He screwed-up, and it can never be fixed. Sad. I do applaud him for taking responsibility and pleading guilty. If he had fought the charges he would have only hurt the youth's family even more. Garrison humbling himself shows he hasn't lost his humanity, and he doesn't believe he should get by with crimes because he's a celebrity. A very unusual and fresh response from someone in the spoiled celeb world.

Posted at 3:56PM on May 21st 2007 by jamis77731

32. maybe he can call wentworth miller to save him out the prison hahaha (sorry had to say it) but its said 5 years is a long long time at least he isnt acting like paris 'i dont deserve this" uhmmmmm

Posted at 1:51PM on May 25th 2007 by bridget

33. shockingly adult behavior from someone in hollywood. i don't really know who this guy is but he does appear to have some class even though he made a horrific mistake. This guy is rehab material, paris not rehabable.

Posted at 4:04PM on May 21st 2007 by public school bitch

34. Truly incrediable. What a horrible thing to happen, a kid dies because of someone else lack or lapse in judgement. I will grant you it is impressive that he stood up, (like a man, like an adult) and said that he was guilty, he earns some of that respect back that was lost to him, but my heart truly goes out to the family that lost the son, their child.

Posted at 4:29PM on May 21st 2007 by BabyLuv

35. 5yrs?! damn that's too bad; i liked this guy((cute)). hopf he'll come back to t.v

....doubt it though

Posted at 7:00PM on May 21st 2007 by lanefan

36. How much time did Griffin Oneal do for decapating F.Coppolas son in a boating
drug infested mishap???? my heart can forgive folks like Garrison who truly sorry for their bad judgement he is in a class all his own for his guilty plea!!

Posted at 7:08PM on May 21st 2007 by my little bit

37. Yes, it is very bad that he drove intoxicated and killed a young man and injured two girls, but another question I have is what was a 26 year old male doing with three underage kids in the first place? Has anyone investigated Garrison's past to see if cavorting with underage children is common practice for him? I find that just as disturbing as drunk driving and murder.

Posted at 7:11PM on May 21st 2007 by Kev Selob

38. bad boyz, bad boyz...what cha gonna do> what cha gonna do when they come for you?

Posted at 11:19AM on May 23rd 2007 by BAD BOYZ

39. A very sad and tragic event, for everyone. As a mother of 2 young men myself, my heart breaks for him and his family. We don't know what life is going to throw our way. He did wrong, and he will have this on his conscience for the rest of his life. He was responsible for the death of another. My heart breaks for this family too. I pray God eases the pain of your lose. To much fame, and toooooo much money. If Hollywood doesn't get a grip on the people they are making famous, then there is going to be alot more like this. Paris is still crying foul about her shortened 23 DAY sentence. This could be you Paris. Still could be...I'm sure 23 days won't be cause enough for you to change your lifestyle at all. You might even come out thirstier...

Posted at 9:05PM on May 21st 2007 by Jackie

40. For the people defending him, he admitted he did it so you can stop blaming the victim now. His blood alcohol was 2 times the limit.

Five years in jail is nothing for the life of a 17 year old. He can get out of jail and have a family and a future while his victim is laying cold in the ground. The other victims (Vaughn's family) have lost their only child and won't have a future with him at all. They are the only people I feel sorry for.

Posted at 9:33PM on May 21st 2007 by Marianne

41. You know, #12, #27, #28 and some others......You are all saying that this dead kid is at fault. Don't forget your own statement: KID.....he was a minor. He was not even a legal adult. If I'm intelligent, that means He's unable to make mature choices. So is this minor responsible for making a stupid choice in getting into a car in which he died? In my opionion, Lane was the adult who should of made the mature & right choice....for the minor.....by not allowing him into his car. So.....that is why Garrison is pleading guilty...he is responsible 100% for this minor who died in his car. Leave the MINOR victim alone. Again, I'm proud that Garrison is taking responsibility....as sad as that is. He's showing some character.

Posted at 10:14PM on May 21st 2007 by Snaps

42. OJ, Robert Blake, Wacko Jacko and Phil Spector -- take note. It's never too late to confess.

Posted at 10:48PM on May 21st 2007 by White Rabbit

43. This is truly a remarkable story. Finally a guy that has some honor. Maybe P. Hilton should take notes!!!!

Posted at 12:21AM on May 22nd 2007 by Diana

44. I am heartbroken about the whole situation. Both these boys are someones sons, brothers, grandchildren and friends. This situation sucks all the way around. For everyone involved. I remember seeing the photo of him crying on his way out of church and I believe in my heart it was not a staged event. What I see here that is different than some of the others stars mentioned involving crimes, is Laine having a soft heart that truly hears right from wrong. And he is responding. He made a big mistake. Today, and I am sure since the night it happened, he actually is listening to what God has put on his heart about admitting when one is wrong and not trying to blame anyone or cover it up. Oneday we all will stand before "The One True Judge", Laine shows tremendous character in humbling himself to an earthly judge where he may have gotten off possibly and accepting his resonsibility. The fact that he says openly he is to blame and is guilty, shows me that he is far richer than a lot of the rich people who fight and argue to turn things their way. It seems to me that this is an opportunity for Laine to really see his life for it's true meaning. He may not know it today, but God is getting his attention. By Laine's actions in court, he is being given real mercy to start over and follow Jesus, who I suspect he has already met and forgot along the way. I will pray that he continue to listen to that small voice that steers him right. Anyone reading this and knows what I am talking about, I suggest you take a moment right now and pray for Laine and his family right now, this minute, that WOTHarvest come in their paths and strengthen them and their minds for the long journey he is facing. I see him as a brother and I hurt for him. Prayers for the family of the boy who was lost as well. I know nothing about them, so I am not taking sides. Laine is who is before me in this story and photo, this is my true sentiment at this very moment. Believer.

Posted at 1:50AM on May 22nd 2007 by jacqjacq

45. Snaps-

Just b/c you are older (Lane) doesn't mean you have the common sense as an adult. From what I read, they (Lane, and all the teens) were either high/drunk or both. Lane is not the only guilty one. What if this kid drove the car. Would you have the same opinon then?

Posted at 6:58PM on May 22nd 2007 by K.C.

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