Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
A ‘model prisoner,’ asks court to cut his sentence
Goodman wants break from prison term for fatal crash
After losing a series of appeals, Wellington polo club founder John Goodman now wants a break on his 16-year prison sentence for killing a man while driving drunk nine years ago.
Citing Goodman’s record as a “model prisoner,” his lawyer Monday requested a revised sentence of 11½ years for the death Feb. 12, 2010, of Scott Patrick Wilson, 23.
But the victim’s parents urged Palm Beach County Circuit Jeffrey Colbath to deny the 55-year-old multimillionaire any leniency.
“The loss I feel is still incomprehensible,” said Lili Wilson, adding that her son had a bright future until “all of a sudden his life was over.”
Her ex-husband, William Wilson, also attended Monday’s hearing but declined to speak publicly. Goodman wasn’t there, but his sister Betsy Abell, spoke on his behalf.
Colbath, who presided over Goodman’s first trial in 2012 and retrial in 2014, said he would issue a ruling by April 4. The judge also said he’s aware Goodman has participated in numerous rehabilitation and selfimprovement programs during the more than four years he’s been locked up, with no discipline reports.
“Much to Mr. Goodman’s credit it doesn’t seem like anyone could do more … and I’m left with the impression that he’s been earnest in his efforts,” Colbath said, adding he’s still undecided about reducing his sentence.
The judge said he also needs to consider the victim’s loved ones.
“It’s just difficult to imagine the loss of the Wilson family,” Colbath said.
Goodman’s case is back before the trial court after the U.S. Supreme Court last October refused to consider an appeal of his DUI manslaughter conviction. He previously lost other rounds in Florida’s appellate courts.
Prosecutors at both of Goodman’s trials relied heavily on blood evidence collected three hours after Goodman’s $250,000 Bentley Continental GTC convertible blew through a stop sign at 63 mph and slammed into Wilson’s Hyundai Sonata at a Wellington intersection.
Wilson’s car wound up in a canal, where the University of Central Florida engineering graduate drowned.
Goodman testified that had he known Wilson’s car was in the canal he “would have gone in to help.” Prosecutors, however, argued Goodman knew he had been in a serious crash and failed to help.
Goodman’s blood-alcohol content measured 0.177, or more than twice the 0.08 legal limit to drive, along with small amounts of hydrocodone Goodman was taking for back pain, according to court records.
The prosecutors said the test results meant Goodman was impaired before the crash, as a result of drinking that night at three Wellington bars. But the defense insisted Goodman was not intoxicated when driving, and they slammed the scientific reliability of the blood samples.
Goodman said he chugged alcohol after the crash while looking for a phone to call 911. He said he found liquor in a “man cave” — a polo player’s barn office with a bar — to soothe the pain of his injuries. His attorneys also argued his Bentley malfunctioned, causing or contributing to the crash. Jurors rejected all of his defenses.
On Monday, Chief Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson asked Colbath to deny Goodman any breaks because of the “totality of the facts of this case.” He said the 16-year sentence already was well below the maximum allowed 30-year term under the law.
“We do believe your sentence is appropriate and should stand,” Johnson said.
But defense attorney Douglas Duncan pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court allows judges to reduce sentences when considering an inmate’s “exemplary post-sentencing conduct.”
He cited Goodman’s completion of “over 1,000 hours of self-betterment programs and classes,” including Alcoholics Anonymous, and while also serving as a teacher of English as a Second Language courses at Wakulla Correctional Institution, south of Tallahassee.
Duncan also gave the court numerous letters of support for Goodman from friends and relatives, including one from the woman he married after going to prison.
Morgan Trexler Goodman asked for Judge Colbath to “show mercy.”
“The size of John’s heart and earnest goodness is just part of what led to love and marriage for me,” she wrote, adding the couple has a daughter together.
If John Goodman’s sentence doesn’t change, he won’t be released until Jan. 28, 2029, according to the state Department of Corrections.