Confessed Drunk Driver Facing Maximum Sentence

The Ohio man who caused a sensation after posting a YouTube video where he confessed to drinking and driving and killing an innocent motorist is facing the maximum sentence allowed by law according to prosecutors in Columbus. The Franklin County Prosecutor has said that he intends to push for the most severe punishments allowed by state law given that such punishments are the most commonly handed down in the area and that Cordle should not receive any special treatment.

Matthew Cordle, the 22-year-old drunk driver, is facing sentencing this coming week after pleading guilty last month to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI. Cordle admitted to driving with a BAC more than twice the legal limit, a decision which cost Vincent Canzani his life. The video where Cordle admitted his actions has since been viewed more than 2.2 million times.

Prosecutors say that Cordle faces eight years behind bars for the vehicular homicide charge and another six months for the DUI charge. Besides the jail time, prosecutors are asking the judge to hand down a $15,000 fine and a lifetime driving ban. Unsurprisingly, the defense has asked for leniency, another tactic that has surprised many who felt Cordle’s online confession was a sign that he would quickly take responsibility for his irresponsible actions that night.

Earlier last month Cordle incurred the anger of the presiding judge when he and his attorney initially chose to plead not guilty to charges after appearing in court for this first time. The judge was indignant given his very detailed video which clearly confirmed his decision to drive drunk that night in June. After encountering stiff resistance to the initial plea, Cordle changed his plea to guilty and the case moved forward towards sentencing.

Now Cordle’s attorney is arguing that the judge should show mercy in his case given his client’s decision to come forward and take responsibility for his actions. The defense argues that a harsh punishment will serve as a deterrent for others in the future who might now be inclined to keep quiet if involved in a drunk driving incident.

Additionally, the defense claims that Cordle’s video actually serves as a powerful force against driving while intoxicated, with Cordle confessing his crime and begging other young people to make better decisions when out for a fun time with friends. As a result of his decision to come forward, they say lives have likely been spared and that the judge should hand down a sentence significantly below the maximum allowed by law.

Source: “Man who confessed to deadly drunk driving crash doesn't want the maximum sentence,” by The Associated Press, published at NewsNet5.com.