Second Boise man involved in fatal Torch stabbing sent to prison

Parley L. Ward, will spend five to 10 years in prison for the October 2014 stabbing of Humberto Herrera, 35, outside the Torch Lounge.

Ward, 33, was sentenced a day after his co-defendant, Phillip D. Law, 31, was sentenced to 7.5 years to 15 years for his role in Herrera’s death.

Ada County District Judge Sam Hoagland also ordered both men to each pay a $5,000 civil penalty to Herrera’s family and $5,000 to Jesus F. Hurtado, who was also stabbed in the incident and who survived. Ward and Law were also ordered to reimburse the public defenders who represented them.

Ward pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting involuntary manslaughter and aiding and abetting aggravated battery, following a plea agreement. Law pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter and aiding and abetting aggravated battery.

Ward was initially charged with first-degree murder while Law was charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder, charges that could have resulted in a life sentence.

Ward and Law initially left in a vehicle after lounge security officers broke up a fight outside the Main Street club but returned and confronted Herrera and Hurtado a second time.

Ward grabbed Herrera, a Hailey resident from behind, placed him in a choke hold and fatally stabbed him in the chest, prosecutors said previously.

Law attacked Hurtado, a Boise resident. He got away and was later treated for injuries at an area hospital.

Witnesses told Boise police that the fight began over a taxi cab.

The two suspects ran from the club and a police officer responding to the scene saw two men matching the suspects’ description walking near North 28th and West Idaho streets. The men ran when the officer approached.

A police dog located the men behind nearby Whittier Elementary School. They had blood on their clothing and Ward had a knife with blood on it, prosecutors said.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Second Boise man involved in fatal Torch stabbing sent to prison."