Michael Ware, 54, was given a lengthy sentence partly because he lied to investigators about giving his daughter the keys, allowing her to shoulder all the blame for the crash.
Wayne County President Judge Ray Hamill branded his behavior 'reckless, stupid and selfish.'
His words rang hollow to the parents of the dead teens. They spoke in court of their pain and their anger toward Ware, who had allowed his daughter to drive on several occasions before the crash, including from New York to their vacation home in Pennsylvania.
Hamill, his voice rising, repeatedly called Ware's actions 'preventable, irresponsible, reckless, stupid and selfish' and said he had failed as a father.
Ware told authorities at the crash scene that his daughter took the vehicle without permission. The girl backed his story 'so as not to get him in trouble,' according to court documents.
Daily Mail
Wayne County President Judge Ray Hamill branded his behavior 'reckless, stupid and selfish.'
He blasted him asking: 'What kind of father does this?'
The crash on August 30, 2014, killed Ryan Lesher, Shamus Digney and Cullen Keffer, all 15-year-old sophomores at Council Rock High School in suburban Philadelphia. Three others were hurt.
Ware, who pleaded guilty last month to three counts each of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, apologized in a brief statement.
'I cannot begin to say how sorry I am,' Ware, of Scarsdale, told the judge. 'Neither I nor my daughter meant any harm to anyone day. May those boys rest in peace.'
'Your desire to be the cool dad devastated an entire community,' said Ryan's mother, Lisa Lesher
Ware's lawyer, Robert Reno, had asked for a sentence of 12 to 23 months. Outside court, he called the sentence 'ridiculous' and said there would be an appeal.
Prosecutors said Ware allowed his daughter to drive his Chevrolet Suburban from their Paupack Township home with one of her friends. She then picked up four boys and drove to a restaurant for breakfast. On the way back, the teen lost control of the SUV and flipped it.
'He basically gave his daughter a gun and put the bullets in it for her,' said Wilson Black, Shamus' uncle.
It wasn't until two months later that one of the passengers came forward and told police that Ware had given his daughter the keys.
Ware's daughter acknowledged responsibility in juvenile court to vehicular homicide counts and was placed on indefinite probation.
She also was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service, pay restitution and write a 2,000-word essay on the impact of her crime.
The victims' parents said Ware was not only responsible for their sons' deaths but had also wrecked his daughter's life.
'You gave her too much independence, too soon,' said Joe Keffer, Cullen's father. 'You failed to protect her.'
Daily Mail
22 comments:
Serves him right.
Early bird Lindo. Morning!
...Mama J...
Ahn ahn 16 years? ?? That's too much now
Quite sad!
OKORO UPGRADED**
Hmmmmn wao I pity the father. But the daughter should also be punished once she reaches 18.
A stupid father.
RIP
sad
This is what happens when you over-indulge your kids!! Allow these kids grow mehn!!
Rest in peace boys
Linda you be winch?
you no dey sleep?
Nawa o
Did i hear 16.some people are stupid at time,this wolf should be sent to life in prisonment.
#sad indeed
Did i hear 16.some people are stupid at time,this wolf should be sent to life in prisonment.
#sad indeed
It's a pity. May they RIP
What a pity! May they rest in peace....
You know what? I think you are stupid and insensitive. What do you mean he shld get a life sentence, simply because he over-indulged his kids. I'm not saying he did right, but it cld have happened to any dad trying to please his daughter, and I know many of my friends back when we were teenagers that drove before they were licensed, and we're never caught. You probably grew up in a village or your parents didna have the resources. You stupid fool. And others that might want to insult me, be warned; I hold no prisoners, bring it on! Rada rada, iranu oshi!
Dis would serve as a lesson to other reckless parents out there. Linda take note!
Dis would serve as a lesson to other reckless parents out there. Linda take note!
Very good.
This is just sad...
What d man did is definitely unacceptable
But I think 16yrs is too much tho,
Was it based on sentiments or anger becos his own daughter survived?
He could very much have bin among d parents grieving a child
The question is
would dey have given him 16yrs if his daughter died too?
Justice or akpor?
May their soul RIP so sad!!!
So sad for the families of the dead boys. The father is paying for his daughter's crime ...... Kudos to Oyibo justice system. This will serve as a big lesson to other parents like him.
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Oh! He's such an irresponsible dad. Teens r persuasive but u have to lead and direct them as a parent! I love d fact that he was punished for his daughter's recklessness. Afterall, he allowed it.
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