CARROLLTON, Ga. (Court TV) — A former Georgia state trooper convicted in a 2015 crash that killed two teenagers faced emotional victim impact statements before he was sentenced Wednesday.
In Aug., Anthony James “A.J.” Scott was convicted on five of six charges for the Sept. 26, 2015, crash on U.S. Highway 27. The collision killed 16-year-old Isabella Chinchilla and 17-year-old Kylie Lindsey, while seriously injuring driver Dillon Wall and passenger Benjamin Finken.
FILE – Isabella Chinchilla and Kylie Lindsey (Tori Wood/Family provided)
While the jury acquitted Scott of one charge of second-degree homicide for victim Kylie Lindsey, her family spoke at Scott’s sentencing. Her mother, Kellie Lindsey, addressed Scott directly, saying, “I’d like to ask AJ Scott what he was doing 10 years ago today. I was burying my daughter 10 years ago today, because you killed her.”
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Kellie criticized Scott’s conduct both as a trooper and as mayor of Buchanan, Georgia, a position he held at the time of his trial before being removed following his conviction.
Allen Lindsey, Kylie’s father, had a straightforward question for Scott during his statement. “I just have one question for you…why?” Allen said. He reminded Scott that taxpayers paid him to protect the community.
Leslie Woods, mother of victim Isabella Chinchilla, pleaded with the judge for the maximum sentence, saying they “have a life sentence.”
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Dillon Wall, who was driving the vehicle struck by Scott’s patrol car and suffered a fractured skull, expressed his ongoing trauma from the crash. “I cry every night…because of this man right there. He doesn’t do anything but smirk at me and smile at me,” Wall said.
Wall criticized Scott’s lack of remorse throughout the proceedings and also criticized Scott’s defense attorney, prompting the judge to intervene and diffuse the situation.
Scott’s family also spoke during the hearing, pleading for mercy and describing his character and military service record. Robin Scott, his mother, insisted her son was simply speeding and the crash was an accident. Robin also addressed the gallery, saying she hoped they would find forgiveness, which prompted comments from the audience. Scott’s grandmother described him as a decorated Marine and family man who only ever wanted to protect.
Before Judge Erica Tisinger sentenced Scott, defense attorney Mac Pilgrim read a letter from his client, in which he apologized to the victims and their families. In his letter, Scott also thanked the judge for how she handled the case.
Senior DeKalb County District Attorney Heather Waters told the judge that the victims have been vilified for ten years and reiterated that if Scott hadn’t been speeding, the collision wouldn’t have happened. Waters also said Scott has shown no remorse.
Former trooper A.J. Scott appears in court during his sentencing hearing Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (Court TV)
In handing down her sentence, Judge Tisinger apologized to the families of Chinchilla and Lindsey for unknowingly scheduling the sentencing hearing on the day the girls were buried ten years ago.
Judge Tisinger acknowledged that the evidence at trial showed Scott had no intention to harm anyone, and her sentence is in accordance with state law. She agreed to the recommendation from the presentencing investigation conducted by the Department of Community Supervision, sentencing Scott to a total of 20 years, with 10 years to serve in prison.
Scott took the stand at his trial and admitted he was driving without his emergency lights or sirens on before the fatal crash. When asked if he was responding to a dispatch, Scott replied, “No, sir.”
During cross-examination, prosecutors established that Scott had received multiple trainings on proper vehicle operation and rules of the road. Scott acknowledged that, while there are circumstances in which law enforcement officers are permitted to exceed speed limits, none of those exceptions applied in this situation.
Scott was found guilty on two counts of serious injury by vehicle, one count of second-degree homicide by vehicle for victim Isabella Chinchilla, speeding and reckless driving. He was found not guilty of the other count of second-degree homicide by vehicle for victim Kylie Lindsey.
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