Weddington found guilty of second degree manslaughter, sentenced
UPDATE 2: A jury has sentenced Nicole Weddington to five days in the Boone County Jail.
UPDATE 1: The verdict has been confirmed Nicole Weddington has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the second degree.
After two days of testimony, the jury reached a guilty verdict just after 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The sentencing phase of the trial concluded after the verdict was read. Weddington and a family friend took the stand to testify on her good character.
The state presented evidence of Weddington’s prior felony and misdemeanor convictions ranging from drugs to burglary offenses.
Weddington testified she hasn’t had any offenses over the past five years and was trying to get clean.
As of 7 p.m., the jury went into deliberation to decide on a sentence. In closing statements, the state recommended the jury impose a two-year prison sentence. The maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the second degree is four years in prison.
ORIGINAL STORY: Day 2 of Nicole Weddington’s involuntary manslaughter trial is currently underway.
Weddington is charged in connection to the March 2015 crash that killed 24-year-old John Severtsen.
The crash happened in the 5300 block of Route B. Police say Severtsen, a passenger in Weddington’s car, was killed after Weddington slammed into the back of a semi that had slowed to make a right turn.
ABC 17 News was in the court room when the trial began Tuesday. During opening statements, the defense referred to Severtsen as Weddington’s “fiance.”
The defense also said during opening statements that there is no evidence of criminal negligence. Instead, Weddington’s attorney called her behavior “garden variety negligence.”
The prosecution, however, called Weddington a “negligent driver” and said the crash could have been prevented.
A verdict is expected today. ABC 17 News has a camera in the courtroom and will update this story later. ABC 17’s Alyssa Toomey is also live tweeting the trial. You can follow her @AlyssaABC17
