Snyder sentenced
to five years
Sentences conclude 3-year
child custody odyssey
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
Stephen T. Snyder was sentenced
Tuesday morning to five years in prison for taking his 4-year-old
daughter to Costa Rica and keeping the little girl away from her mother
for two years.
Being sentenced for the same
crime, Eli Snyder, Stephen Snyder’s son, was sentenced to 312 days in
the Blaine County Jail and given credit for time he has already served.
He was freed from the jail Tuesday and will undergo a two-year probation
period.
Stephen
T. Snyder was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday following a
harsh criticism from 5th District Judge James May. At one point
during the proceeding, Stephen Snyder turned to his former wife, Margot
Thornton, and apologized for the pain he had caused her when he took the
couple’s daughter, Lily, to Costa Rica. "I’d like to do whatever I can
to get back into Lily’s life and support her with whatever love and
financial support I can," he said. "My intention has always been to do
what’s in her best interest."
Express photo by Willy Cook
Each man was ordered to pay a
$1,000 fine, and they are to split $7,000 in restitution costs. Stephen
Snyder’s prison sentence includes three years of fixed time and two that
can be waived.
The sentences were issued by 5th
District Judge James May on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Hailey. Underlining his
decision, May said he would have given Stephen Snyder five years of
fixed prison time if it were allowed by the statute.
Sentencing in the case capped a
nearly year-long court proceeding. It began when the Snyders were
captured last spring in Costa Rica and flown to American authorities in
Florida, where they were then extradited to Blaine County. The Snyders
were captured in Costa Rica on April 11, 2003, by a vigilante child
recovery group. The group returned Lily Snyder, Stephen’s daughter, to
her mother, Margot Thornton, and arranged to transfer custody of the men
to authorities.
Late in December, each man pled
guilty to one charge each of child custody interference, a felony. Plea
agreements were struck just weeks before a scheduled trial.
The proceeding landed in 5th
District Court in Hailey, because Lily Snyder’s mother, Margot Thornton,
was living in Ketchum at the time the little girl was not returned.
Tuesday’s hearing had several
dramatic moments. Thornton took the stand to point out how painful it
was to lose her daughter for two years.
"It’s really hard to wrap up
everything that’s happened to me since three years ago," she said. "But
it’s pretty devastating losing a child for one year and 10 months. That
emotional impact was hard to live with. It was sort of like having a
death in the family, except there was no closure."
Eli
Snyder was released from jail this week and received credit for time
served for his admitted part in a child custody interference case
involving his father and half sister. "I am truly sorry for
everything that’s happened," he said. "I am looking forward to making a
positive contribution upon my release and continuing with my life."
Express photo by Willy Cook
In a statement to the court,
Stephen Snyder said he has learned from being in jail and not seeing his
daughter about the pain his former wife must have gone through. He began
his statement by apologizing to Thornton.
"Lily has been my highest priority
since she was born," he said. My intention has always been to do what’s
in her best interest. The past eight months without Lily have been very
hard. They have made me realize how Margot must have felt."
But at least Stephen knows where
his daughter is and that she is being cared for, pointed out Blaine
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Justin Whatcott. That is not a
courtesy he provided to Thornton.
"Mr. Snyder took the law into his
own hands," Whatcott said. "He felt like he was the better parent to
have her. His actions in this case are very serious, and they warrant
punishment."
May agreed.
"You’re making excuses," May said.
"Today, you’re indicating remorse. Your actions speak much more loudly
than your words at this point."
May said Stephen Snyder’s actions
were planned and premeditated "more so than in any case I have presided
over."
In his sentencing, Eli Snyder was
painted as a young man with a promising future whose allegiance to his
father clouded his otherwise sound judgment. In 2001, when the Snyders
left the country with Lily Snyder, Eli gave up his partially completed
doctoral studies in physics at the University of Colorado.
"I think Eli Snyder is probably
paying for his loyalty to his father," Whatcott said. "I think the main
player here was Stephen Snyder. To his credit, he shows remorse for what
he has done."
Eli Snyder’s attorney, Keith
Roark, said his client is a painfully honest man who acted out of
concern for his little sister.
"From day one, this man has taken
responsibility for what he did," Roark said. "But he was caught between
a sister who he loved and a father who thought he knew what was best for
the little girl. The abduction, if you choose to call it that, would
have taken place whether he went along or not."
Prior to sentencing, Stephen
Snyder’s attorney, public defender Bob Pangburn, called Snyder’s mother
to the stand.
Virginia Snyder, who lives in
Costa Mesa, Calif., said her son is "one of the most remarkable parents
I’ve ever seen."
"He’s one of the wisest persons
I’ve known in dealing with children," she said. "He became Lily’s father
when he was able to appreciate, even in a greater way, the beauty of a
child. He loved her, he loved her greater than himself."
Against Roark’s advice, Eli Snyder
also testified on his father’s behalf. He said Stephen Snyder "has
always put Lily as his highest priority" and added that there is no
indication that he ever placed Lily in danger.
Just last week, an Oregon court
finalized the details of Stephen Snyder and Thornton’s divorce. As part
of that proceeding, the Snyders were not granted any rights to visit
Lily Snyder, though Stephen Snyder said he is excited that he has been
permitted to write letters to the little girl as long as the letters are
screened.
Thornton said her daughter is
doing well, but pointed out that getting used to everyday life in Oregon
has been an adjustment. She also said she didn’t see the problems of
three years ago until it was too late.
"I think for Lily, I never tried
to deny the Snyders access," she said. "I believe that a child needs
both parents. I just thought he would take responsibility for the
domestic violence," a California charge Stephen Snyder still must face
when he completes his sentence in Idaho.
"I really didn’t see coming what
was coming," she said. "That’s okay. I’m willing to take responsibility
for it, and I feel like I have a better life for it.
"I feel really badly for Lily.
They didn’t have to kidnap Lily. We could have worked it out in court.
Admit it or not, we all failed Lily because of our own inability to
communicate clearly."