The Verdict

On Friday, July 25, 2003, after more than five hours of deliberation, the jury of three men and three women found Smallridge guilty of both counts of DUI manslaughter.

The panel also convicted Smallridge on two counts of vehicular homicide, a lesser offense included under the manslaughter by culpable negligence charge.

The Sentencing

Smallridge's sentencing hearing was held on Oct. 3, 2003. Represented at the hearing by his appellate lawyer, Robert Harper, Smallridge asked Judge Michael Allen to depart downward from the 20-to 30-year sentence recommendation.

Allen handed Smallridge a 22-year term —11 years for each count to be served consecutively. Smallridge was also sentenced to four years of probation following his release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and more than $34,000 in restitution. His driver's license was also permanently revoked.  

A week before Smallridge's sentencing, a jury acquitted Jeremy Lyle Burkett on principal to manslaughter and leaving an accident scene, but convicted him for driving with a suspended license. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail.