Reduced to Negligent Homicide and Probation (with 1 Year and 11 Months of actual Prison Time) | Felony Vehicular Manslaughter (Dangerous), Felony Vehicular Aggravated Assault (Dangerous), and Felony Vehicular Endangerment (Dangerous)

State v. Mr. M (DMC No. 17074)

MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT (CASE NO. CR2020-106835)

Mr. M was a High School student who had just received a new Mustang and installed a new exhaust system on it. He brought two of his friends along for a test drive, in order to show off his new exhaust system. As they were traveling along Dysart Road and approaching Missouri Avenue in Litchfield Park, Mr. M went through an intersection and struck another vehicle, killing the other driver. It was estimated at the time that he was traveling over 110 miles per hour. In addition, both of his other passengers were injured, and were taken to the hospital. When Mr. M was outside of the car as Fire Personnel arrived, he was emotionally distraught and very concerned for the other driver and his two friends.

At that point, his parents had arrived, and Mr. M was being questioned by Police. It was then that the services of DM Cantor were secured. 

Mr.M was arrested, and taken to the Fourth Avenue Jail, and we were able to obtain his release with minimal bond. As we began the investigation, we secured an Accident Reconstruction Expert, and we also obtained all of Mr. M’s medical records. He had no drugs or alcohol in his system on the date of the incident. As part of Mitigation, we received all of his medical records going back to birth, and all of his IEP school records. It was discovered that he was born as a twin, and he only weighed three pounds, while his sibling weighed six pounds. This had caused a lifetime of brain development issues, and this served as Mitigation.

As the case progressed forward, we made sure that his insurance company paid out the maximum possible benefits to all three of the alleged victims. Although his two friends did not want to see him go to Prison, their family members were still upset at Mr. M. In regards to the deceased’s family members, they wanted to secure the maximum amount of Prison, and hired a “Victim’s Attorney” to appear at all court dates. 

Ultimately, after a lengthy Settlement Conference, we secured an offer which allowed Mr. M to plead guilty to Negligent Homicide, with a sentence of 1 year and 11 months of actual Prison Time. Mr. M completed his sentence, got out of Prison, and then enrolled in college. He’s currently leading a very productive life.