On Friday afternoon, a Palm Beach jury returned verdicts of guilty on both counts against a wealthy Palm Beach man who had been on trial for a fatal car accident that killed a 23-year old man.
The Palm Beach man was found guilty of DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
The man's defense attorney asked the Judge to allow him to remain out on bond pending sentencing. The Court denied the request and immediately had the accused taken into custody. He will remain in the Palm Beach County Jail until his sentencing date of April 30, 2012.
At the sentencing, the Judge will consider many factors and will listen to testimony from many witnesses. Impact testimony from the alleged victim's family will be given great weight. The accused will also have a chance to speak.
The Judge has said that he will entertain an agreed-upon sentence. That is, if the prosecutor and the defense can agree to a sentence, the Judge will likely impose it. If no agreement is made, the Judge will impose a sentence that he believes is fair and legal.
The accused can be sentenced anywhere from about 11 years on the low end, up to 30 years.