Andrew Denezza Sentenced in Fatal Harrisburg DUI

Andrew Denezza has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of a 2009 DUI homicide in Harrisburg, reports The Patriot News.

Denezza has received a sentence of 31 to 12 years in state prison.

The crash occurred on the Market Street Bridge when Denezza’s car crossed over the center divide and slammed into a taxi-cab head-on, writes CBS News. The accident left two people dead: a 34-year-old cab driver, Michael Amissah, and his 28-year-old passenger, Kristin Bowser.

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The families of the victims weren’t satisfied with the sentence, writes The Patriot. They wanted him to spend decades in prison.

One of their concerns, echoed in the victim impact testimony in the sentencing hearing, was Denezza’s lack of remorse for the killing.

Last April, Denezza pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, DUI, reckless endangerment and homicide by vehicle. While Denezza apologized to the victims’ families, the families were unmoved.

Victim impact testimony is a huge part of a criminal trial. It is part of the sentencing phase and provides the victims of the crime, or their surviving family members, a chance to say how the defendant’s actions affected them.

While guilt is determined by a jury, sentencing is determined by a judge.

During this phase, the victims testify. Their testimony may have an impact on the severity of the sentencing. But victim impact isn’t the only factor in sentencing.

The defendant’s prior criminal history plays a role in sentencing. Another key factor is the manner the crime was committed and whether or not the defendant had sufficient remorse.

As Denezza’s DUI attorney told WHPTV News, Denezza showed remorse and “was in the hospital crying the whole time.”

Denezza will be incarcerated at State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill for now, before being sent to a more permanent prison facility.

Related Resources:

• Philadelphia DUI Lawyers (FindLaw)
• Man Gets Max Sentence, Pleads Guilty to DUI Bicyclist Death (FindLaw’s Philadelphia DUI Blog)
• DUI Sentencing (FindLaw)