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JBLM soldier sentenced for beating Tacoma security guard to death in 2021

The family members of Denise Smith wiped away tears and comforted each other as the judge sentenced the man who beat her to death three years ago.

TACOMA, Wash. — The family of 41-year-old Denise Smith gathered in a Pierce County courtroom Friday afternoon to learn the fate of her murderer, 29-year-old Army Ranger Spc. Patrick Philip Byrne.

Byrne was sentenced to 20 years in prison for beating Smith to death in 2021. Smith was working as a security guard at a downtown building along Ninth Street. 

“I’m never going to forgive him for what he did,” said Dennis Mack, Denise’s older brother in court on May 10. “I hope he catches hell where he’s going. Only problem is, I won’t be there to see it and enjoy it.”

In court on May 10, Smith’s loved ones spoke directly to the judge, expressing anger and grief as they described who Smith was, and how much their lives have changed since her death.

“Denise was so kind-hearted with a smile that could light up the room, and her laugh was contagious, and you [couldn't] do anything, but be happy around her,” said Alaina Mack, Smith’s sister. “You took that away from us.”

At the time of his arrest, Byrne was stationed at JBLM, and was still listed as active duty when he entered his guilty plea in March.

Court documents also said Byrne has a history of multiple serious head injuries, sustained prior and during his military service.

During the sentencing, Byrne’s lawyer pointed to that medical history as a possible reason for his actions. However, the judge highlighted the other choices Byrne made that night.

“He was out with his friends or fellow Rangers, basically getting intoxicated to the point of creating a disturbance, and that was voluntary,” said Judge Stanley J. Rumbaugh

Byrne pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for beating and choking Smith to death in July 2021.

Tacoma police officers found Smith severely beaten and unconscious when they arrived after a coworker found her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She was only on the job for two days.

Surveillance video of the attack led detectives to 29-year-old Army Ranger Patrick Philip Byrne.

Court documents stated Byrne was out drinking with friends the night of July 17 when he got into a bar fight and was punched in the face. He then walked in the direction of A Street. Smith had gone outside to speak with a homeless woman and went back into the building she was guarding when Byrne approached the door. Smith motioned for him to leave, but he didn’t. She then opened the front door and Byrne tried to barge past her.

What followed was a brutal attack that went on for nearly 10 minutes, records state. Byrne dragged Smith by her hair, beat her with his fists, stabbed her in the face with her keys and used them to try to gouge out the woman’s eyes. He then flipped Smith onto her stomach and choked her until she went limp, then continued to choke her for at least another minute.

Byrne's sentence is the lowest standard amount for the charge of first-degree murder. For Smith’s family, the sentence was bittersweet.

“It’s a sentence, and it’s a lengthy sentence, you know?” said Tina Mack, Denise’s sister. “So justice is served, he’s not still out there walking around, they’re not looking for him. ... What he got is what he got.”

    

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