Man Pleads Guilty, But Asks For Special Consideration
Defendant Apologizes To Victims' Families
POSTED: 12:37 p.m. EST March 27, 2002
UPDATED: 12:58 p.m. EST March 27, 2002
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A South Florida man pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide today in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom.
In normal circumstances, the minimum sentence would be 18 1/2 years, but the lawyer for Curtis Small (pictured, left), 20, wants his client to be sentenced under youthful offender guidelines, which could see Small serving about six years and probation. The lawyer says Small's remorse, clean record and the fact that the crash was an isolated incident should earn him some consideration.
"I was wrong. I'm very sorry. I hope you can forgive me someday," said Small in court today, addressing the victims' families through tears.
"I know it's painful. I'm sorry. It hurt(s) me too," said a tearful Monica Small, Curtis' mother.
In February 2000, Small was behind the wheel when his car slammed into another vehicle, killing a 14-year-old and a 63-year-old.
Small claimed that another car cut him off before the accident, but that car was never found.
Prosecutors say they had at least one witness prepared to testify that Small was racing on the night of the wreck and another one to testify that the speedometer reached 85 mph.
A judge could make a decision today about Small's plea. If that decision is made, Channel 10's Peter D'Oench will have a report.
In normal circumstances, the minimum sentence would be 18 1/2 years, but the lawyer for Curtis Small (pictured, left), 20, wants his client to be sentenced under youthful offender guidelines, which could see Small serving about six years and probation. The lawyer says Small's remorse, clean record and the fact that the crash was an isolated incident should earn him some consideration.
"I was wrong. I'm very sorry. I hope you can forgive me someday," said Small in court today, addressing the victims' families through tears.
"I know it's painful. I'm sorry. It hurt(s) me too," said a tearful Monica Small, Curtis' mother.
In February 2000, Small was behind the wheel when his car slammed into another vehicle, killing a 14-year-old and a 63-year-old.
Small claimed that another car cut him off before the accident, but that car was never found.
Prosecutors say they had at least one witness prepared to testify that Small was racing on the night of the wreck and another one to testify that the speedometer reached 85 mph.
A judge could make a decision today about Small's plea. If that decision is made, Channel 10's Peter D'Oench will have a report.
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