Emotional Day Of Testimony In Sentencing For Hit & Run Driver
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- It was an emotional day of testimony for the sentencing of Eric Henderson, the drunk driver who admitted to killing a Colorado State Trooper. He was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by parole.
Henderson is a 52-year-old retired colonel with the U.S. Army and retired in June 2013 after a 27-year career.
Jaimie Jursevics was on the scene of a crash on Interstate 25 south of Castle Rock in November when Henderson, intoxicated, struck her and drove away.
Jursevics left behind a husband and an infant daughter.
"We lost a beautiful daughter, our children lost their older sister, Jaimie's husband lost a wife and a mother to an 8-month-old baby girl," said Jursevics' mother Jolene Torres.
Henderson pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and tampering with evidence. The judge sentenced him to eight years in the Department of Corrections followed by five years of parole.
The judge also handed down an 18-month sentence for evidence tampering that will be served concurrently with the eight year sentence. Henderson was also ordered to pay restitution.
"I just don't believe the defendant doesn't know he hit a person," said the judge.
"I'll tell you something else I think was really telling was when the judge said he didn't believe him. That he didn't believe that he didn't know he hit a person and he called him a coward. I have never heard a judge call a person a coward in my 20 years of doing this," said District Attorney George Brauchler.
One person in the Douglas County courtroom said it was unfortunate to see the room divided with active duty military on one side and law enforcement on the other.
At one point the courtroom was divided by tape but that was later removed after it was clear there was a clear separation.
CSP troopers along with family and friends of Jursevics were the first to enter the courtroom followed by Henderson who has been free on bond since November 2015. Each side had a long list of witnesses; the prosecution presented 13 and the defense presented 12.
Every defense witness pleaded with the judge to sentence Henderson to the maximum of 13½ years.
Jursevics husband DJ spoke last but had a friend read his statement which claimed Henderson knowingly left Jursevics for dead and then tried to lie and cover it up.
Many called him a coward and a disgrace to the military because of his actions. They also reminded the judge of how her 8-month-old daughter will grow up without a mother due to the preventable tragedy.
"Unfortunately I believe that he doesn't deserve to wear the U.S. Army uniform," said Colorado State Patrol Chief Scott Hernandez. "He said that he never had to pick up one of his soldiers off the ground. Well, we have."
Henderson was emotional during the testimony and looked as each witness as they made their case.
He told the court that he has kept silent out of respect for Jursevics' family and that he wanted to spare them the pain of a long, drawn out trial.
"I have taken accountability for the actions that transpired... I do. I stand here unwavering in my portion of this accident," said Henderson. "It is my sincere hope and that of my family that we foster and start the process of healing today."
Henderson also spoke directly to Jursevics' husband, "I know you cannot bear to look at me... my soul breaks for you, sir, and if I could change places with your wife I would. I'm sorry sir. I'm so truly sorry."
Jursevics' mother says she doesn't believe him.
"None of this had to happen. It was all preventable," said Torres. "Eighty years would not have been enough for us. You know, we're hurting and we're in pain."
The first few witnesses for the defense talked about Henderson's military career, saying the man they knew could not have known he struck a person that night and argued that had he, he would have rendered aid.
Torres has a message for others who consider getting behind the wheel after drinking, "If you choose to drink, drink responsibly. Don't get behind the wheel. Don't drive. Don't take a chance on killing somebody."
