The Michigan State Court of Appeals brought back a split verdict, with the majority in favor of allowing a different judge to resentence 38-year-old Douglas Crystal on charges stemming from an accident that occurred September 15, 2017. It was brought to the appellate court because Crystal’s attorney believed that the ruling was unfair. After all, it was outside of the guidelines for the charges.
The original sentencing judge, Judge Mark Trusock, sentenced Crystal to 10 years in prison for the death of 33-year-old Meranda Baguss after driving 90 miles an hour and going through a stop sign, hitting the mother and her twin sons. Baguss died as a result of the accident. Both of the boys were trapped in the vehicle and sustained head trauma. One is completely disabled as a result of the accident.
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After the accident, Crystal fled from the scene and was not apprehended until over eight hours later. Police used witness statements to determine his drunken nature at the time of the accident.
In a statement that was made by Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker on Wednesday, March 26, it will be up to the prosecutor’s office to determine if they will appeal the new sentencing decision.
The standard sentencing guidelines for a crime such as Crystal’s is 3 ½ to 7 years, but Judge Trusock used the circumstances surrounding the accident to justify sentencing Crystal outside those guidelines.
The appellate judge who sided with Judge Trusock’s decision said that he was lenient given the circumstances in the case, especially what the children went through.
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The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.