Written by: Jennifer ShuttStaff Writer
SNOW HILL -- Sobs could be heard from all sides of the courtroom, including the defense table, as Hunter Lee Stonnell's parents talked about how their lives have changed since the death of their son.
The parents spoke after Jesse James Mason, the man charged in the death of 21-year-old Stonnell, pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle while impaired.
Mason, 23, was charged last September after Stonnell was killed trying to prevent Mason from driving drunk. Witnesses told police Stonnell had grabbed the side of Mason's white Ford pickup truck, attempting to prevent him from driving, when he was thrown from the vehicle.
Mason later told police he heard Stonnell's head hit the pavement and knew he was injured, but drove home anyway from the parking lot on Market Street in Pocomoke City.
"Nobody who knew him called 911 ... a stranger called 911," said Malcolm Stonnell, the victim's father.
Court records and witness statements indicate Mason's wife and his father were in the parking lot when Stonnell was injured.
"How do you drive past someone who is dying?" asked mother Belinda Ann Stonnell, looking directly at Mason.
Before he spoke, Malcolm Stonnell placed a framed 8-by-10-inch photograph of his son on the defense table, facing Mason.
"Since the death of my son I have cried every day," he said.
Malcolm Stonnell also criticized a former state's attorney in his remarks but did not mention him by name.
In a brief interview, Joel Todd, who was the Worcester County state's attorney when the death occurred, said Mason's defense attorney, Cathi Coates, is the sister-in-law of Bryan Randall Coates, who was a treasurer for Todd in several campaigns.
Mason's prosecution in Circuit Court was handled by current State's Attorney Beau Oglesby, who defeated Todd in last fall's elections.
Malcolm and Belinda Stonnell described their son as a caring young man who liked to help others. He graduated from Crisfield High School in 2007 and was working as a heavy equipment operator with the Vulcan Materials Co. in Pocomoke City.
"I want the courts to show you as much compassion as you and your family showed to my son on Sept. 10," Belinda Stonnell said to Mason.
As part of the plea agreement, Mason could serve a maximum of three years in prison, with a request by the state's attorney's office for him to serve 18 months of active incarceration.
Mason has two previous alcohol-related charges in Worcester County on his court record, including one in February 2006 for possession of an intoxicating beverage under the age of 21 and one in September 2006 for possession of an alcoholic beverage under the age of 21. In both cases he pleaded guilty and paid court imposed fines.
Coates requested time for a presentencing investigation, which was granted. Mason will likely be sentenced in about 60 days.
Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201104070432/NEWS01/104070359
The parents spoke after Jesse James Mason, the man charged in the death of 21-year-old Stonnell, pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle while impaired.
Mason, 23, was charged last September after Stonnell was killed trying to prevent Mason from driving drunk. Witnesses told police Stonnell had grabbed the side of Mason's white Ford pickup truck, attempting to prevent him from driving, when he was thrown from the vehicle.
Mason later told police he heard Stonnell's head hit the pavement and knew he was injured, but drove home anyway from the parking lot on Market Street in Pocomoke City.
"Nobody who knew him called 911 ... a stranger called 911," said Malcolm Stonnell, the victim's father.
Court records and witness statements indicate Mason's wife and his father were in the parking lot when Stonnell was injured.
"How do you drive past someone who is dying?" asked mother Belinda Ann Stonnell, looking directly at Mason.
Before he spoke, Malcolm Stonnell placed a framed 8-by-10-inch photograph of his son on the defense table, facing Mason.
"Since the death of my son I have cried every day," he said.
Malcolm Stonnell also criticized a former state's attorney in his remarks but did not mention him by name.
In a brief interview, Joel Todd, who was the Worcester County state's attorney when the death occurred, said Mason's defense attorney, Cathi Coates, is the sister-in-law of Bryan Randall Coates, who was a treasurer for Todd in several campaigns.
Mason's prosecution in Circuit Court was handled by current State's Attorney Beau Oglesby, who defeated Todd in last fall's elections.
Malcolm and Belinda Stonnell described their son as a caring young man who liked to help others. He graduated from Crisfield High School in 2007 and was working as a heavy equipment operator with the Vulcan Materials Co. in Pocomoke City.
"I want the courts to show you as much compassion as you and your family showed to my son on Sept. 10," Belinda Stonnell said to Mason.
As part of the plea agreement, Mason could serve a maximum of three years in prison, with a request by the state's attorney's office for him to serve 18 months of active incarceration.
Mason has two previous alcohol-related charges in Worcester County on his court record, including one in February 2006 for possession of an intoxicating beverage under the age of 21 and one in September 2006 for possession of an alcoholic beverage under the age of 21. In both cases he pleaded guilty and paid court imposed fines.
Coates requested time for a presentencing investigation, which was granted. Mason will likely be sentenced in about 60 days.
Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201104070432/NEWS01/104070359
4 comments:
If this satisfies the Stonnell family then it's the better option than a trial. They were mortified and livid over the last plea agreement that was on the table. It was as if their son's life didn't matter.
People do not know all the facts. I know both sides of this and I think that this was just fine now no one has to go through the pain of trial. I am sorry for Hunter but Jesse and he are both good guys this was an awful tragic accident.
Im sorry but three years is not enough time for what he did to hunter. I knew hunter well he was one of my brothers best friends i know this was an accident but he left him to die and did not even care.
This case has been misrepresented by the media and bloggers on so many levels that many will never be able to escape the harm done. Forensic science, actual real witnesses and science reenactments prove this was an unfortunate accident of two kids horseplaying. Unfortunately, the laws mandate that someone take the blame. Vehicular negligence homicide means that this was an accident. The family was not all there begging Jesse to not drive.
This has been a nasty case full of unscrupulous actions, bad reporting, false eyewitnesses, all to get information memory and twist the facts. Jesse has been "man enough" to allow the venting and the gossip to go on. It is just sad. Hunter or Jesse did not deserve these actions or this vindictive hunt left in his name. The split and pain this vindictive behavior and bad ethics in reporting has caused on the families is horrible. On the eve of the anniversary of Hunter’s passing, let’s put this to rest. Forgive and move forward. It is what Hunter would have wanted. He was a peacemaker.
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