Man Gets 12 Years In Prison For Crash That Killed Littleton Officer
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - A 39-year-old Aurora man convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of an off-duty Littleton police officer has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Jemal Abdelkader Dawed was sentenced Tuesday for the May 2013 death of Kevin Denner.
Prosecutors say Denner was riding his motorcycle in Aurora when Dawed failed to yield to oncoming traffic and turned in front of him. The officer was dragged more than 20 feet.
Investigators say Dawed's blood-alcohol content was 0.091 percent two hours after the crash. The legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent.
There was an outpouring of support in court on Tuesday for both Denner and Dawed as the courtroom was packed to capacity with people overflowing into the hallway.
Denner's supporters appeared in court with shirts that read "Our Gentle Giant, In Loving Memory." His widow addressed the court, saying that every day she drives by the accident site with her children.
Dawed also was convicted of reckless driving and DUI. He will be eligible for parole in 4 years and will have 5 years mandatory parole once released.
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