Lancaster man sentenced to 26 years to life for bow-and-arrow murder

A Lancaster man was sentenced Aug. 24 to 26 years to life in state prison for killing another man with a hunting bow and arrow, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

On May 22, Garrett Taylor Adams, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder for killing Charles Emmanuel Briggs, 27. Jurors also found true the special allegations of mayhem and use of a deadly weapon. 

In the early hours of Aug. 23, 2014, Adams got into an argument with his girlfriend at their home, according to evidence presented at trial. Adams’ brother and acquaintance Briggs attempted to stop the fight. Adams then began fighting with Briggs outside the home, prosecutors said. 

Adams retrieved a compound bow and razor-tipped broadhead hunting arrows from his house and threatened Briggs. After following Briggs down the street, Adams shot Briggs with the arrow, striking him in the chest, prosecutors said. Briggs later died at a hospital, according to coroner’s records.