Springfield Man Indicted for Manslaughter in Fatal Stabbing

A 40-year-old Springfield man has been formally indicted on a first-degree manslaughter charge following a fatal confrontation late last month that left a 39-year-old father dead.

Taron Daniel Daly faces charges including first-degree manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon involving a knife or cutting tool, fourth-degree domestic violence assault, and felony coercion, according to court documents filed in Lane County Circuit Court. The charges stem from the September 28 death of Levi Lynch.

Springfield Police Department officers responded just after 5:30 p.m. that evening to a report of a man with a stab wound near the 5200 block of Main Street, close to the 100 block of South 50th Place. Deputy Chief George Crolly stated that the victim, identified as Lynch, was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Investigators built their case through witness interviews and the collection of surveillance video before presenting the evidence to a Lane County grand jury, which returned the indictment.

Lacy Lane, the sister of the victim, told Lookout Eugene-Springfield last month that a violent incident directed at Lynch’s girlfriend initiated the sequence of events. Lane identified the female victim named in the domestic violence assault and coercion charges as her brother’s girlfriend, noting she is also the ex-wife of Daly. Lane stated that her brother intervened to protect her.

According to Lane, her brother kept pepper spray in his vehicle because Daly had allegedly threatened his life for months, pointing to several saved text messages on Lynch’s phone. Lane recounted that during the confrontation, her brother sprayed Daly before sustaining a fatal stab wound to the chest.

While expressing relief that formal charges had been filed, Lane voiced disagreement with the specific legal counts selected by prosecutors. “I have to say I’m happy that he has finally been charged, but me and my family feel that he should be charged with murder,” Lane told Lookout Eugene-Springfield in a Facebook message.

Supervision Status and Legal Penalties

Prosecutors filed a notice indicating that Daly was on probation or post-prison supervision when the alleged manslaughter occurred. Under Oregon law, this supervision status could result in an extended prison sentence if a conviction is secured.

Family seeks answers after Springfield man dies following alleged stabbing — Photo: kezi.com

First-degree manslaughter is legally defined in Oregon as acting recklessly while manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life. Under the state’s Measure 11 sentencing guidelines, a conviction carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, prohibiting parole or early sentence reductions.