A Cumberland County man in barely audible tones told a Criminal Court judge last week that if he could take back causing the traffic deaths of his friend and his friend's girlfriend, he would.
"But I can't," Bobby Dwaine England told Judge David Patterson.
England, 46, who has a lengthy arrest record dating back to 1980, was sentenced to two consecutive 24-year prison sentences for the traffic deaths of Tony Lewis and Mary Elmore, all of the Crossville area.
England was facing 15 to 25 years on each count of aggravated vehicular homicide stemming from the March 2008 accident that occurred on Hwy. 28 in the Linary community and Assistant District Attorney Gary McKenzie asked for the maximum sentence.
McKenzie based his request on England's lengthy record that included third offense drunk driving charges, resisting arrest, assault and battery, robbery (for which he served prison time) and destruction of property. He has 11 convictions on his record.
He also has a drunk driving conviction in Florida that was handed down in 2004.
McKenzie also pointed to England's blood alcohol level of .20 percent, which is twice the legal amount allowed to get behind the wheel in Tennessee.
Families of both victims submitted written impact statements that were made part of the permanent record of the proceedings, but none spoke during the sentencing hearing.
Defense attorney Tom Beesley argued that early offenses on England's record came at a time when the defendant was huffing paint.
England, who walks with a noticeable limp and has been incarcerated since his release from the hospital following the accident, did not take the stand but did make a very brief statement to the court.
Patterson ruled that the gravity of the case involving more than one victim coupled with the defendant's prior criminal history justified the 24-year prison sentence on each charge.
Because of the way sentencing laws are written and because England is classified as a range 1 offender, he will be required to serve 30 percent of each sentence, consecutively, before being considered for parole.
Area News
48 years given in traffic deaths
- Area News
-
-
Plane has rough landing
No one was injured when a pilot veered off a runway to avoid a deer that was in the path of his light airplane as he landed the craft.
-
Lemert grave site rededication set Monday
The restoration of the gravesite of 1st Sgt. Milo Lemert, Cumberland County's only WWI Medal of Honor recipient, is finally complete after months of repair and rebuilding. A special dedication will be held May 28 at the City Cemetery at Sgt. Lemert's gravesite. The dedication will immediately follow the 11 a.m. annual Memorial Day Ceremony for Cumberland County in downtown Crossville. The public is invited to both events.
-
County to use new district boundaries to fill vacancy
The Cumberland County Commission approved a resolution to use new district boundary lines in the August County General Election in order to fill the vacancy created by the death of 9th District Commissioner Clyde Cramer.
-
THP to enforce seat belt usage this Memorial Day weekend
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is planning to step up efforts to enforce seat belt usage over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. State Troopers along with other state and local law enforcement agencies are participating in the national seat belt enforcement campaign, Click it or Ticket, May 21 through June 3.
-
Shooting victim identified; accomplice jailed
A burglar who fled from a home invasion after his partner was shot by a resident may be held responsible for his friend's death, sources close to the investigation of Tuesday's fatal shooting have told the Chronicle.
-
Healthy eating, activity earn CO honors
Students at Crab Orchard Elementary have been eating better and getting more activity during the past school year. Those efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards for school health.
-
Defendant pleads guilty to avoid jail
A Crossville area man told a Criminal Court judge earlier this month he was entering a plea of guilty to fraud to keep from going to jail.
-
Man sentenced in sexual battery, statutory rape cases
A Crossville man charged with raping one woman and with having sexual relations with an underaged teen in a separate incident has pleaded guilty to related charges and was sentenced to jail.
-
County to build, operate Big South Fork Visitor's Center
The Big South Fork Visitor's Center may become a reality after the county commission narrowly approved building and operating the facility once the project is completed.
-
One dead in shooting near PH
One person is dead, a homeowner slightly injured, and at least a third person is in custody following a fatal shooting that may have been sparked by a home invasion near the Pleasant Hill community. And a fourth person might be connected with the incident.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Plane has rough landing
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
