Front page news - newsjournalonline.com

Front page news - newsjournalonline.com

Posted using ShareThis


Just in case that link becomes inactive, here's the story printed:

January 08, 2010

Sentencing in fatal wreck brings 'outpouring of humanity'

By JAY STAPLETON
Staff writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- In a rare moment of shared courtroom emotion, the family of a DeLand man killed in a crash in 2008 embraced family members of the teenager responsible for his death.


Mompoint
The defendant, 19-year-old Allen Mompoint, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison Thursday and a 10-year probation that included a requirement to earn a bachelor's degree.

"He had a lot of forgiveness," widow Karla Mitchell said of her husband, Stephen Blain Mitchell, who died Jan. 17, 2008, when his car was struck by Mompoint, 17 at the time, on Division Avenue in Ormond Beach.

"We are Christians, we believe in forgiveness. And we believe in good coming out of bad."

Mompoint, now 19, pleaded no contest to vehicular homicide for the reckless crash that killed Mitchell, a 35-year-old speech pathologist. The teen, who had no prior criminal record, was driving at more than twice the posted speed limit of 25 mph -- and blew through a stop sign at Grove Street -- when he slammed into the driver's-side door of Mitchell's Honda Accord.

Mitchell's stepfather, Nico Ratsma of Mt. Dora, said, "He was wearing his seat belt, but he didn't have a chance."

Mitchell's widow said they'd been married "not even two years." Their daughter was only 11 months old at the time.

Those who loved the man who loved helping others -- and surfing -- said he would have wanted forgiveness for Mompoint's mistake.

"His silly actions got all of one family in eternal sadness and despair," Ratsma said. "And his family, for the next 3 1/2 years, at least, as a result."

The sentence was left up to Circuit Judge Joseph Will. While the charge carried up to 15 years in prison, the suggested sentencing guidelines called for just over about nine years in prison, considering Mompoint had no prior criminal history.

Apologizing ahead of time for a sentence that was bound to leave people on both sides of the courtroom unhappy, Will said Mompoint's remorse and age were reasons nine years was excessive. At the same time, he said he didn't think a sentence of probation as a youthful offender was adequate for the crime.

"When we try to define justice and fairness, we could spend the rest of this afternoon and not come to an agreement," Will said. "This isn't an easy decision for me."

Considering dozens of letters he read from members of both families, Will sentenced Mompoint to prison, to be followed by 10 years' probation. Mompoint is prohibited from driving while on probation, and must obtain a bachelor's degree, the judge said.

"You are to complete 250 community service hours per year, and give 10 presentations to high school students. I want you to explain to them the loss you caused, and the loss you suffered."

A letter of apology to Mitchell's family was also ordered by the judge.

Before he was led away to begin his sentence, Mompoint was permitted to hug his parents. The two families then turned to each other in long, tearful embraces.

"Forgiveness is separate from consequence," Mitchell's sister, Shawn Lundberg, said. "When you have forgiveness, reconciliation is possible. You can cross the aisles, and embrace one another."

As one courtroom observer said, "It was an amazing outpouring of humanity."

jay.stapleton@news-jrnl.com