Galveston County Jury Sentences Man to 27 Years for 2022 Murder of Childhood Friend

A Galveston County jury sentenced 24-year-old Jaron Bryce Morgan to 27 years in prison on November 12, 2024, for the 2022 shooting death of his childhood friend, Dvonte Sutton, in Dickinson, Texas.

On March 5, 2022, Dickinson police responded to a shooting call and found Sutton with a gunshot wound to the neck. Sutton’s girlfriend immediately identified Morgan, Sutton’s childhood best friend, as the shooter. Morgan, who fled the scene with his girlfriend, McKenzie Colonna-McBrayer, was later tracked down after an eyewitness followed their vehicle and reported details about the items discarded from it. K-9s recovered the gloves, hoodie, and gun used in the shooting.

Morgan told police that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over $40 he believed Sutton had stolen and feelings of disrespect. Further investigation revealed that Morgan had accused Sutton of the theft the previous evening, and the two had a brief altercation before Morgan shot Sutton in his driveway.

During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from witnesses, including Sutton’s girlfriend and the eyewitness who followed the fleeing suspects. Morgan’s girlfriend, Colonna-McBrayer, refused to testify and was held in contempt. Medical testimony indicated that Sutton may have been on his knees when he was shot, suggesting Morgan stood over him during the murder.

The jury also learned that Morgan was out on bond for previous charges, including assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and drug possession, when he killed Sutton. Prosecutors argued that Morgan’s history of violent behavior warranted a lengthy prison sentence. After deliberating for an hour and a half, the jury returned a sentence of 27 years.

The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney praised the work of the Dickinson Police Department, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harris County Medical Examiner in the investigation and prosecution of the case.