Hart Sentenced for Drunk Driving Accident
By: Candace Hutchins
Updated: April 21, 2008
Jerica Mae Hart plead guilty Monday to intoxicated manslaughter. In exchange for the plea, she recieved a 10 year probated sentence and 120 days in the Lubbock County Jail. Hart was arrested July 29th of last year, accused of drinking and driving and hitting 39-year-old Matthew Henderson near University and 15th Street. Henderson died the next day from his injuries.
Henderson's sister, Annie spoke Monday in the courtroom. Coming from a family that has been plauged by alcoholism, she says the punishment is just. The family didn't want Hart to be in jail for the maximum amount of time, which is 20 years. Instead, they want her to get the help she needs and help others who may also deal with the same problem.
Sunshine Stanek with the District Attorney's office says the plea was based largely in part on what the victim's family wanted. Hart began her 120 day jail sentence on Monday and following her jail time will begin her 10 years probation, which will include promoting alcohol awareness.
