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Last updated on Tuesday, February 24, 2015
(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge Michael Robbins sentenced Kyle Hutton to 44 years in prison for driving the Jeep that crashed on July 28, 2012 killing his wife 30-year-old Morgan Hutton, friend 33-year-old Dasan Spires and Spires’ fiancee, 38-year-old Laura Duncan.
Judge Robbins found no mitigating factors when sentencing Hutton, but did list several aggravating factors which included Hutton having a criminal history. Of his six arrests, five of were alcohol related, three were for driving while intoxicated. Hutton was ordered by the court to participate in two alcohol and drug programs and two weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation program.
"And yet the defendant continued to drink until three people were killed," Robbins said.
While on probation, Hutton failed to cooperate with probation and failed to submit to alcohol or drug screens. He also failed to seek any type of treatment for his alcohol abuse before or after the fatal accident.
Another factor was Laura Duncan's death left her two sons Jordan and Josh without a mother.
He also found that Hutton showed no remorse in the death of his wife or friends by not seeking out or participating in any events with his in-laws or with other families of those of that lost their lives in the crash.
Robbins sentenced Hutton to ten years on each count with four years added for aggravating factors for a total of 42 years. He then suspended two years which will be served on probation. Hutton was given credit for 270 days served.
Robbins also suspended Hutton's driver's license for 5 years on each count for a total of 15 years.
A Lawrence Superior Court I jury after deliberating for around five hours found Hutton guilty in January on three counts of causing death while operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .15 or greater.
Deputy Prosecutor Jody Donalds on proved Kyle Hutton's blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit the night of the deadly accident. His blood alcohol content was .27 percent.
Defense Attorney Samuel Shapiro and Hutton claimed Morgan Hutton was driving the Jeep on Bailey Scales Road when a deer ran into the roadway causing her to crash the vehicle.
Judge Robbins heard testimony today from several family members and friends on both sides.
Duncan's father; Randall Fain of Pearland, Texas; sent the court a letter which Prosecutor Michelle Woodward read.
In that letter Fain told how Laura's death has be agony on her two sons Jordan and Josh, who are now 17. He also expressed the agony of learning about his daughter's death on Facebook and how he was not contacted by police. He pleaded for the judge to impose the maximum sentence.
Donna Evans, Dasan Spires' aunt, addressed the court for the Spires family calling Hutton a "vile, black-hearted coward" for putting his wife in the driver's seat. But instead of Hutton confessing to the crime, he put the family though a trial of lies.
"We had to bury our loved ones all over again," Evan said. "All of this could have been avoided if you would have just been honest."
Morgan Hutton's parents, Cindy and David Beaver, also took the stand.
Cindy said the only time she saw Kyle show remorse was when she removed Morgan's picture from Kyle's office wall.
"What would Morgan think now?" Cindy asked. "It was wrong of you not to tell us you were going to say that (Morgan was the driver). The truth will set you free. Until you do that the grief will sit on your shoulders. Up until July 28 I thought you were a good man... I am not sure what happened."
David Beaver claims Hutton still has not watched the video of his wife's burial.
"Man only has one thing, his word-it's his bond," David says. "Your words are nothing but lies. You threw her under the bus and blamed Morgan. You lost dignity, honor and integrity all in the name of saving yourself. You will never be free from the lies you've told."
Hutton's family also testified.
His father, Rick Hutton, said Kyle was a "good kid" who was athletic and loved working on cars and motorcycles.
"He was very responsible and never caused us any trouble," Rick says. "He only talked to me one time about the accident while he was at Methodist Hospital. We knew all along Morgan was driving but didn't want to tarnish Morgan."
Pastor Randy Baker testified that Kyle did show remorse.
Barry Miller and Dan Johns testified how Kyle and his businesses has helped area kids.
"He has made a lot of kids dreams come true," Johns says.
Heather Couch, Kyle's girlfriend, testified that she and Kyle were friends for 20 years before they started dating five months after the accident.
"He was forced to hold it together so everyone else didn't lose it," she says.
Kyle Hutton also took the stand.
"At first I did not deal with it in a healthy way and a lot of people formed their opinions because of my behavior," he said. "I put on my happy face during the day and drank as much as I could at night to block it all out. I am not going to change my story on how things happened, but I am sorry. We can't take back that night. I would trade places with anyone o f them. I don't know why they got to die and I had to live."
The families of those that died in the wreck are seeking damages.
Three civil lawsuits have been filed in Lawrence County Circuit Court against Salt Creek Brewery.
All three lawsuits claim Salt Creek Brewery provided alcoholic beverages to Kyle Hutton knowing he was intoxicated. The suits claims the group was on their way home from the brewery when the fatal crash happened.
However, Erin A. Clancy of Indianapolis, who is representing Salt Creek Brewery, says "the contributory fault of the plaintiff/decedent, including negligence, incurred risk and assumed risk, was greater than 50 percent for the total fault involved in the incident" and that the damages were caused by an "intervening and superseding cause."
Salt Creek Brewery is owned by Brad Hawkins and located at 466 Old Ind. 37.
The families are asking the lawsuits be heard by juries.
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