News: Man Gets Probation for Road Rage Killing
(Long Island, N.Y.) A twenty-four-year-old man from Oceanside was sentenced to five years’ probation for the May 2009 road rage incident in Long Beach. A Wantagh native had been killed in the exchange after engaging in a heated altercation when the young man allegedly cut him off. His vehicle later impacted the deceased as the victim got out of his car in a rage to intimidate the driver.
The twenty-four-year-old faced up to four years for his crime after having been convicted in June of second-degree criminally negligent homicide. This charge was the lesser of two, the first being second-degree manslaughter. The young man was acquitted of the more serious charge, for which he could have received up to fifteen years in prison.
After exiting the Nassau County Courthouse, he expressed remorse by claiming that he thinks about the incident every day and wishes it would have never happened. He also admitted that he would never be able to fully understand the loss thwarted upon the deceased’s family. He considers the incident as a tragedy that he never intended, claiming he just wanted to get away.
While his defense maintained that he acted in self-defense, the Assistant District Attorney involved with the case called for the maximum sentence. He cited the young man’s prior arrests for marijuana possession, burglary tools possession, and trespassing. He also brought attention to four separate cases in Nassau County that resulted in prison time for the same charges.
The defense claimed that the cited cases were irrelevant and that the young man was never convicted of any of the prior offenses. The incident was labeled as a tragedy without a crime as prosecutors claimed that a harsher sentence would deter others from road rage. Family members of the deceased were allegedly outraged at the perceived leniency in the judge’s sentencing.
The fiancé of the deceased claimed that she was getting ready to establish the couple’s new home before her focus quickly shifted towards funeral arrangements. The incident was labeled as a senseless act of depraved indifference. Loved ones of the victim claimed that the sentencing sent a message that it’s okay to kill and that the young man never showed remorse or took responsibility.
According to reports, the judge involved claimed to have understood and respected both sides amidst reaching a decision. The young man allegedly plans on showing the judge that the trust in him was deserved.
