CommentWCU graduate killed by drunk driver
Jeff J. Simon
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News
Anthony Torsell, the 21-year-old former Penn. State student who struck and killed West Chester University graduate Richard Smith on Oct. 28, 2006, was convicted last Wednesday of vehicular homicide.
Torsell now faces up to 10 years in jail but remains out on bail until he is sentenced on Nov. 13.
Torsell's blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest was .242 percent, more than triple the legal limit. The crash resulted in the death of Smith and the hospitalization of Aaron Stidd, a Penn. State University student.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane will seek a six- to 10-year sentence, although Torsell's defense attorney, Joseph Amendola, plans to seek a lesser sentence of three to six years because Torsell has no prior criminal record.
Smith, who graduated from WCU in just three years while concurrently holding a full-time job, hoped to get a job as a computer systems analyst and had recently purchased a house in Conshohocken. Prior to that, he lived with his father in Chadds Ford, about six miles from campus.
Information for this article was gathered in part from The Daily Collegian of Pennsylvania State University.
Originally posted by: AlienCraft
Originally posted by: Brainonska511
It's been one year as of yesterday...
And every day I've awakened and have seen the sun rising, I'm reminded of him and this event.
R.I.P. acemcmac, I'm sure you never dreamed that you would be remembered in such a fashion.
BW, I'm 50 and I think the drunk driver dude should sit in jail awhile. Not sure how long exactly, but awhile should do.
Originally posted by: DeathBUA
EDIT: But on a personal note, working in the ER especially a major trauma center ER I see far too many alcohol related car crashes and deaths I wish more could be done to help lower the ridiculously high number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities.
http://www.centredaily.com/new...news/story/254629.htmlWednesday, Nov. 07, 2007
Hearing on Torsell sentencing begins
A hearing is underway to allow the family of a man convicted of killing one man and injuring another while driving drunk, and the family and friends of his victims, to tell a county judge what they think he should consider when deciding on a sentence.
The courtroom was filled to capacity ? even the jury box was used to provide seating ? for the hearing being held by Judge Thomas King Kistler a week before he scheduled to sentence Anthony Torsell, of Bellefonte, on charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault while DUI.
The sentence on the homicide charge could range from a minimum of 3 to 6 years to a maximum of five to 10 years.
Torsell entered the courtroom surrounded by family and friends. Also present were J. and Connie Stidd, parents of Aaron Stidd, who suffered permanent brain injury in the crash. It was not immediately known if representatives of the family of Richard Smith, of Conshohocken, were present. Smith died as a result of the crash.
For updates, check back at CentreDaily.com or see tomorrow's Centre Daily Times.
Originally posted by: moshquerade
http://www.centredaily.com/new...news/story/254629.htmlWednesday, Nov. 07, 2007
Hearing on Torsell sentencing begins
A hearing is underway to allow the family of a man convicted of killing one man and injuring another while driving drunk, and the family and friends of his victims, to tell a county judge what they think he should consider when deciding on a sentence.
The courtroom was filled to capacity ? even the jury box was used to provide seating ? for the hearing being held by Judge Thomas King Kistler a week before he scheduled to sentence Anthony Torsell, of Bellefonte, on charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault while DUI.
The sentence on the homicide charge could range from a minimum of 3 to 6 years to a maximum of five to 10 years.
Torsell entered the courtroom surrounded by family and friends. Also present were J. and Connie Stidd, parents of Aaron Stidd, who suffered permanent brain injury in the crash. It was not immediately known if representatives of the family of Richard Smith, of Conshohocken, were present. Smith died as a result of the crash.
For updates, check back at CentreDaily.com or see tomorrow's Centre Daily Times.
To refresh your memory, here are a couple of pics I found online of acemcmac, sorry they are so small. They aren't on pics.bbzzdd.com anymore.
one
two
?It came back to bite me,? Torsell said, addressing Judge Thomas King Kistler during a presentence hearing. ?It led to the accident. ... It?s partially my fault, and for my fault I?ll take responsibility.?
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
?It came back to bite me,? Torsell said, addressing Judge Thomas King Kistler during a presentence hearing. ?It led to the accident. ... It?s partially my fault, and for my fault I?ll take responsibility.?
Lots of compassion there. :|
Both J. and Connie Stidd looked directly at Torsell while speaking to the judge.
"When you experience your worst day in prison, it will never be equal to Aaron's best day," Connie Stidd said.
Aaron Stidd remains non-verbal and "crippled ... neurologically and physically," his father said. He is currently residing at HealthSouth Rehabilitation hospital in Altoona and is looking forward to a Dec. 3 discharge.
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/a...l_speaks_of_fault.aspxDan Smith, Richard Smith's younger brother, told Kistler how much his brother's death has affected him.
"He was my hero," he said. "I never said I loved him -- but God, I did."
More than one year after the accident -- "376 days," Dan Smith said -- he still feels "dead inside."
Just an arrogant, compassionless jerk. It came around, bit you, killed someone else, severely injured another, and wounded everyone who knew them."I am not a bad person," 21-year-old Anthony Torsell said. "I got caught up in a college binge drinking society, and it came around and bit me."
I wouldn't expect any such words from my parents if I'd kill someone while driving drunk. I don't think I'd expect them to even show up for the sentencing.Dan Torsell spoke on his son's behalf, admitting that he had made a "grave mistake," but that he is still proud of the man his son has become.
Sorry kid, God didn't force you to get so drunk that you should have been unconscious.Torsell's high school friend, John Olsen, said Torsell told him: "This is God's path for me, I need to make something good out of it."
Dan Torsell spoke on his son's behalf, admitting that he had made a "grave mistake," but that he is still proud of the man his son has become. He added that the media has "portrayed Tony as a heartless monster ... which is the furthest thing from the truth."
A Torsell family friend, Keith McClellan, said a long prison sentence might be applicable for a repeat offender, but would not help this case. "Three young men, all of them bright, educated, talented, made some serious mistakes with alcohol, driving and a crosswalk," he said.
Instead of a prison sentence, Torsell's Bellefonte Area High School teacher Ray Gephart suggested the defendant's story be made into an educational deterrent -- a video interview turned into a public service announcement.
Torsell's high school friend, John Olsen, said Torsell told him: "This is God's path for me, I need to make something good out of it."
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/a...rve_almost_six_ye.aspxPosted on November 14, 2007 12:59 AM
Torsell to serve almost six years
Former Penn State student Anthony Torsell remained quiet when sentenced to nearly six years in prison yesterday for speeding through a downtown crosswalk in the early hours of Oct. 28, 2006, forever altering the lives of two young men.
Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler sentenced Torsell to four to eight years in prison for killing visitor Richard Smith, 21, and one year and eight months to three years and four months for critically injuring student Aaron Stidd when Torsell drove drunk through the South Atherton Street and West Beaver Avenue intersection.
A jury decided that while Torsell was behind the wheel of a Buick Skylark, he negligently drove down the two men, hurling their bodies 97.5 and 169 feet, respectively.
J. Stidd, Aaron's father, said he and his family were pleased with the judge's decision. However, he said he was disappointed with the defendant's lack of remorse.
"He is the same hedonistic individual that was behind the wheel that night," he said, adding that what little guilt Torsell expressed was nothing more than a "smokescreen."
After the sentence was announced shortly after 10 a.m., Torsell was ushered out of the courtroom by deputies, his family following quickly after.
"I think Anthony Torsell will make the best of his life," his attorney, Joseph Amendola said after the sentencing.
Amendola said he prepared his client for the maximum sentence -- 10 to 20 years -- and was surprised to hear Kistler's ruling.
"I think [Kistler] is well within his discretion," Amendola said. "I don't see sentencing as an issue," he added, referring to grounds for an appeal.
Kistler heard pleas from both the defense and prosecution before handing down his decision.
The Stidds' pastor, Suzanne Morelli, spoke to the judge on behalf of the family.
"I do not see the hatred that has been brought up here -- I see deep loss, deep grieving," she said, retorting Amendola's earlier claim that the Stidds and Smiths have shown anger toward his client.
Torsell also spoke to the judge, expressing deep regret and slightly changing his claim to responsibility.
"I understand fully what I have done and I take responsibility for my part, " he said yesterday. At a hearing last week, Torsell said he was "partially" at fault, and he "got caught up in a college binge drinking society."
Amendola admitted that Torsell's use of the word "partially" was a "poor choice of words."
"He wasn't depreciating his involvement," he added.
Torsell spoke directly to Kistler during his final plea and did not address the victims' families.
"No one will ever know how remorseful I am, how much my heart breaks and how I wish I could trade places," Torsell said to Kistler.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said Torsell was not taking enough responsibility for his actions and should have directly apologized to the Stidds and Smiths.
Amendola petitioned the judge to allow Torsell to serve his term in the Centre County Correctional Facility, where he would be allowed work release to help the Stidds with medical bills. However, for such a crime, state prison is mandatory.
Torsell will not have to pay restitution for Stidd's medical bills because they are taken care of through insurance and donations, Kistler said. However, he will have to pay $27,600 to the Stidd family to customize a vehicle capable of transporting Aaron.
Stidd remains unable to speak, walk or perform daily tasks. He expects to be released from a HealthSouth rehabilitation hospital on Dec. 3, but still has more than a decade-long battle of pain ahead, his parents said.
"Five years and eight months will pale in comparison to what Aaron deals with daily," J. Stidd said.
Kistler said the decision in this "profoundly sad" case was not easy.
Torsell had "two or three opportunities to stop what was going on," he said, adding that, "in the most conservative terms," the events that took place that night were something he has rarely seen.
Kistler said these two factors outweighed Torsell's background and strong character in his decision.
He offered the families one final thought.
"I can't do anything today that will offer you any solace or any comfort," he said. "We don't know how you've endured what you've endured."
Originally posted by: FoBoT
i don't know, sounds too short
68 months for killing someone compared (just as a random example) to 51 months for the survivor guy (Richard Hatch) committing tax fraud/not paying income taxes
Originally posted by: moshquerade
http://www.centredaily.com/new...news/story/254629.html
To refresh your memory, here are a couple of pics I found online of acemcmac, sorry they are so small. They aren't on pics.bbzzdd.com anymore.
one
two
Originally posted by: moshquerade
BIG UPDATE!
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/a...rve_almost_six_ye.aspxPosted on November 14, 2007 12:59 AM
Torsell to serve almost six years
Former Penn State student Anthony Torsell remained quiet when sentenced to nearly six years in prison yesterday for speeding through a downtown crosswalk in the early hours of Oct. 28, 2006, forever altering the lives of two young men.
Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler sentenced Torsell to four to eight years in prison for killing visitor Richard Smith, 21, and one year and eight months to three years and four months for critically injuring student Aaron Stidd when Torsell drove drunk through the South Atherton Street and West Beaver Avenue intersection.
A jury decided that while Torsell was behind the wheel of a Buick Skylark, he negligently drove down the two men, hurling their bodies 97.5 and 169 feet, respectively.
J. Stidd, Aaron's father, said he and his family were pleased with the judge's decision. However, he said he was disappointed with the defendant's lack of remorse.
"He is the same hedonistic individual that was behind the wheel that night," he said, adding that what little guilt Torsell expressed was nothing more than a "smokescreen."
After the sentence was announced shortly after 10 a.m., Torsell was ushered out of the courtroom by deputies, his family following quickly after.
"I think Anthony Torsell will make the best of his life," his attorney, Joseph Amendola said after the sentencing.
Amendola said he prepared his client for the maximum sentence -- 10 to 20 years -- and was surprised to hear Kistler's ruling.
"I think [Kistler] is well within his discretion," Amendola said. "I don't see sentencing as an issue," he added, referring to grounds for an appeal.
Kistler heard pleas from both the defense and prosecution before handing down his decision.
The Stidds' pastor, Suzanne Morelli, spoke to the judge on behalf of the family.
"I do not see the hatred that has been brought up here -- I see deep loss, deep grieving," she said, retorting Amendola's earlier claim that the Stidds and Smiths have shown anger toward his client.
Torsell also spoke to the judge, expressing deep regret and slightly changing his claim to responsibility.
"I understand fully what I have done and I take responsibility for my part, " he said yesterday. At a hearing last week, Torsell said he was "partially" at fault, and he "got caught up in a college binge drinking society."
Amendola admitted that Torsell's use of the word "partially" was a "poor choice of words."
"He wasn't depreciating his involvement," he added.
Torsell spoke directly to Kistler during his final plea and did not address the victims' families.
"No one will ever know how remorseful I am, how much my heart breaks and how I wish I could trade places," Torsell said to Kistler.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said Torsell was not taking enough responsibility for his actions and should have directly apologized to the Stidds and Smiths.
Amendola petitioned the judge to allow Torsell to serve his term in the Centre County Correctional Facility, where he would be allowed work release to help the Stidds with medical bills. However, for such a crime, state prison is mandatory.
Torsell will not have to pay restitution for Stidd's medical bills because they are taken care of through insurance and donations, Kistler said. However, he will have to pay $27,600 to the Stidd family to customize a vehicle capable of transporting Aaron.
Stidd remains unable to speak, walk or perform daily tasks. He expects to be released from a HealthSouth rehabilitation hospital on Dec. 3, but still has more than a decade-long battle of pain ahead, his parents said.
"Five years and eight months will pale in comparison to what Aaron deals with daily," J. Stidd said.
Kistler said the decision in this "profoundly sad" case was not easy.
Torsell had "two or three opportunities to stop what was going on," he said, adding that, "in the most conservative terms," the events that took place that night were something he has rarely seen.
Kistler said these two factors outweighed Torsell's background and strong character in his decision.
He offered the families one final thought.
"I can't do anything today that will offer you any solace or any comfort," he said. "We don't know how you've endured what you've endured."
Originally posted by: theoneandonly
Originally posted by: moshquerade
http://www.centredaily.com/new...news/story/254629.html
To refresh your memory, here are a couple of pics I found online of acemcmac, sorry they are so small. They aren't on pics.bbzzdd.com anymore.
one
two
Here are 2 other images:
http://img401.imageshack.us/im...68/richardsmithrj9.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/im...317632891559583tb0.jpg
It pleases me to see that even after a year no one has forgotten.
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Are you Rick's sister?