Cory Simmons, 18, Joplin, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter today in McDonald County Circuit Court.
Simmons admitted that he was driving while intoxicated Feb. 11 when he was involved in a one-car accident that killed his passenger, Joplin High School student-athlete Christina Freeman.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Simmons was sentenced to seven years in prison, then placed on supervised probation for five years. He will have to serve 120 days of shock time.
After his release, he will be required to pay $150 a month to the Christina Freeman Scholarship Fund.
Simmons' plea came one day before his trial was scheduled to begin. As noted in The Turner Report Sunday, sources close to the Newton County prosecutor's office said they would seek the maximum seven years in prison if Simmons' case had gone to trial.
3 comments:
You say the prosecutor would have asked for seven years if the case went to trial as if that means something. Have you ever heard of a prosecutor trying something out and asking for less then the maximum?
Stop the presses!!! Sources close to the defense tell me that if the case went to trial the defense attorney would have asked for zero.
So, according to your report the Defense Attorney had to move up from zero to 120 days plus probation while the Prosecuting Attorney had to move down from 2555 days (seven years) to 120 days plus probation.
Who moved further and what does that tell you about what each side felt about the other side’s chances to getting what they wanted?
If they only would literally shock him for 120 consecutive days, that would be justice at its finest.
I belive the Prosecutor"Scott and Jake" in this case did what the Family of Christina wanted. Was it enough no but then nothing would of been enough to bring her back,maybe this way Cory will go on to become something. as Christina will never have that chance.I for one give Scott and Jake and Marty a very big hand and I thank all of them for the wonderful job they did and the respect they gave my family and I through all of this..
Cory also in his plea has to obtain a GED and can not drive for the 5 years he will be on parole.
Thank you Mr Turner once again for reporting this story and keep up the good work you do....
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