DUI Sentencing for Driver that Killed Two
Posted on Oct 13, 2010 9:54am PDT
David James DelSignore, of Tulah, Montana, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for running down two teens as they were walking home from an evening basketball game at Hellgate High School, as reported by the Missoulian.
DelSignore, 29, killed both Ashlee Patenaude, 14, and Taylor Carley, 15, while driving drunk and talking on a cellular phone.
District Judge James Larson, after listening to almost two hours of statements from grieving friends and family, sentenced DelSignore to a prison term of 30 years, with all but 15 years and five months suspended on each charge. He will be eligible for parole in four years and the sentences are to run concurrently.
It was DelSignore's first offense.
On the night of December 26, DelSignore was taking a prescription medication; he also had wine at both the Missoula Finn & Porter and Al & Vics. He then got behind the wheel of his 1999 Chevy Silverado and headed for home.
During a cellular phone call that he made from his car he was alerted by screams, stopped his car and then looked behind him.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Kirsten Pabst LaCroix said in her sentencing argument, "We look at him and say, 'That could've been me.'"
Jenipher Patenaude, Ashlee's mother, felt that DelSignore's sentencing wasn't enough. "You have no idea what you did to me. I pray every night that I might find it in my heart to forgive you, but right now, that's God's job, because I can't, and I won't."
Hailey Rumpel and Teal Packard were walking alongside their friends, Pautenaude and Cearley that night. Deb Schmaus, Rumpel's mother, spoke on her daughter's behalf at the sentencing. "Hailey was the only one left standing that night to see what had happened. She'll have to live with that sight."
DelSignore patted his eyes with tissues as he listened to both tearful memories and angry verbal assaults.
Friends for DelSignore also gave testimony on his behalf. They spoke of his love of animals and mentoring young children with their 4-H projects. His friend, Wendy McDaniel, stated that DelSignore's protectiveness "caused him to get into his car in zero-degree weather and drive home to take care of his animals. I believe God has two angels in heaven watching over the three still here."
Shaun Cearly didn't buy that defense of DelSignore's actions and said, "God has nothing to do with it."
The mental health and addiction professional that counseled DelSignore after the fatalities, Paul Sells, said, "He was very sincere, he was grief-stricken, bewildered, very much in a state of shock, very humble, depressed and also suffering from fairly acute anxiety at times - he was a mess."
Sells also felt that since DelSignore is not an alcoholic that he would do well in the Department of Correction's treatment program. "His remorse and ownership and acknowledgement of what he did has set him apart. It's quite exceptional ... and it's a big component of why I don't recommend prison for him."
DelSignore made his own short speech to the courtroom. "I can't bring your girls back. I can't apologize enough to anyone in here for what I've done. I deserve to be punished."
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