Judge Releases Damian Coleman on Probation
The judge suspended prison sentences for Coleman after he testified against his co-defendants in a murder case.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Judge Amber Mettler released 32-year-old Damian Coleman from jail on five years of probation following his testimony in a murder trial. Coleman previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated robbery in connection with a 2022 shooting.
Why it matters
Prosecutors supported the release because they determined Coleman had already served sufficient time and honored his plea agreement to testify against his co-defendants. This decision concludes the legal proceedings for his involvement in the case.
Judge Mettler suspended prison sentences of five years to life and one to 15 years, requiring Coleman to serve five years on probation instead. Prosecutors have indicated potential support for an early release from probation after 30 months if conditions are met.
The players
Damian Coleman
The 32-year-old resident of Roy who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated robbery in a murder case.
Amber Mettler
The judge presiding over the court proceedings in Salt Lake City who issued the sentence of probation.
Stafon Coleman Jr.
The 25-year-old brother of Damian Coleman who was found guilty of murder.
Terrell Jones
The 34-year-old half-brother of Damian Coleman who was found guilty of murder.
McKennalyn Cummins
An individual who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated robbery in the same case.
The details
Coleman spent over four years in jail before his release. He was sentenced after providing testimony against his brother, Stafon Coleman, and half-brother, Terrell Jones, who were found guilty of murdering 27-year-old Romeo Charles Stevens.
Timeline
May 9, 2022: Romeo Charles Stevens was shot and killed in South Salt Lake.
July 2023: Damian Coleman pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated robbery.
October 2026: Damian Coleman was released from jail to serve probation.
Jan. 4: Stafon Coleman and Terrell Jones are scheduled for sentencing.
Legal Context
This case follows the established pattern of plea deal cooperation seen throughout the prosecution of the co-defendants in the Romeo Charles Stevens murder trial. Such agreements are frequently utilized in Salt Lake City courts to secure testimony in complex murder cases.
The resolution of this case settles a high-profile murder trial involving a fatal shooting in South Salt Lake. Residents should note that court proceedings for the remaining co-defendants will continue in Salt Lake City in early January.
The takeaway
Plea agreements often balance prison time with cooperative testimony in criminal homicide investigations. Defendants who fulfill their end of a deal through truthful testimony can sometimes receive probationary sentences rather than incarceration.
What happens next
Stafon Coleman and Terrell Jones are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
