SARASOTA COUNTY – The former Braden River High football coach convicted of DUI manslaughter this year is out of jail and will remain free for another year or more. He was charged with a DUI crash that killed his best friend and fellow coach.
The former Braden River coach spent a month in jail after his conviction, but Circuit Judge Donna Berlin allowed The former coach to post an appeal bond of $50,000, which allows the coach to remain free while the 2nd District Court of Appeal reviews his case.
Berlin, who presided over the trial and sentencing of the former coach in June, ruled that there was a “good faith” appeal issue that goes to the heart of whether the former coach should have been convicted of DUI manslaughter, his attorney Brett McIntosh said.
The former coach was also eligible for the appeal bond because he had no previous felony conviction, McIntosh said. Conditions of his release prevent the former coach from drinking alcohol, he said.
The contentious trial was mired in legal issues that waded into the deep end of court rules about who could testify and what they could tell the jury.
His attorneys claim some testimony that placed him behind the wheel — an important element of the crime — should not have been allowed.
He has filed the appeal, which often takes more than a year, and sometimes up to two years, to get a decision.
According to trial testimony, the former coach, 32, had been drinking for more than eight hours and consumed more than 14 drinks at a party with other coaches in Venice that day.
While driving home, with three others in his truck, the former coach veered off State Road 681, crossing two lanes of traffic twice and overturning his Ford F-150. His blood-alcohol level was 0.21 percent, nearly three times the level at which Florida considers drivers to be impaired.
Have you been charged with DUI in Sarasota? If so, the story above should only show you that when charged with a crime, you do still have rights. Also that you are not automatically guilty and you could fight your charge at trial. To learn about your options contact a Sarasota DUI attorney at our firm for a free and confidential consultation today.
