A Paisley man found guilty in April of DUI manslaughter and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injuries was sentenced to 40.625 years in prison on Sept. 24.
Here's what we know:
Who was the judge? Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Who were the attorneys? Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith and defense lawyer Mark O'Mara.
Who was the defendant? Justin Jacob Cobb, 32.
About the case: At trial, prosecutors said Cobb was under the influence of methamphetamine when the vehicle he was driving crossed the double yellow line on County Road 42 and struck a Ford Edge occupied by three women.
The women, Elfriede Meyer, Karien Meier and Kimberly Crothamel, were good friends and lived in The Villages. The trio went to the beach and were returning home when the crash
occurred near Southeast 203rd Avenue on June 22, 2022.
Meyer, 75, died from her injuries. The other women were seriously injured. Cobb was also injured.
What happened at the Sept. 24 sentencing hearing? Prosecutor Smith said he notified the defense that Cobb was considered a prison releasee reoffender, and thus the lowest possible sentence was 20.31 years in prison. The maximum was 60 years behind bars. Cobb was released from state prison in April 2021 after serving time for robbery.
Two women and a man appeared via Zoom to speak on behalf of the victim, Meyer. In summary, the trio said the death was preventable, Meyer is missed by those who knew her in The Villages, and Cobb should receive a harsh sentence.
The state wanted 40 years behind bars.
For the defense, Cobb's sister-in-law told the court that Cobb had a terrible life. She said he was raised in a home where he was abused, mentally and physically, and there's was constant drug use.
The woman said Cobb was in and out of foster homes, and his mother used drugs. She said Cobb had no male role models around him, and all he knew were drugs and stealing.
She said the crash crushed Cobb's mind and body. When he posted bond and was released from jail in this case, he got a job, passed drug tests, and was turning his life around.
She said though he would grumble, he followed the rules. The woman said based on testimony presented in court, she believes it would be best to give Cobb probation and she would continue taking care of him.
She said he could be an inspiration to others through his actions and by speaking to people in a similar situation. She said she thought Meyer would accept that proposal.
She said when she entered Cobb's life, it was a day late and a dollar short, and she feels like a mother to him. Contrary to what has been portrayed in court, she said Cobb is not a monster.
Cobb told the court he was sorry in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He said the crash wasn't intentional.
Defense attorney O'Mara said it was important for the court and everyone present to understand the context of his client's life. He said from evidence provided, Meyer's driving might have contributed to the crash. Also, the dosage of meth in his client's system was low.
To Meyer's family and friends, the judge said he was sorry.
The judge said meth is a dangerous drug that doesn't discriminate. He called the crash a tragedy, and heard the emotion in Cobb's voice when he was told about Meyer's death.
Aside from the lengthy prison sentence, the judge said Cobb's driver's license will be permanently revoked, and the defendant has 197 days of credit for time already served at the Marion County Jail.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Man sentenced for crash that killed Villages resident | Exclusive
