LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Michael Manley, 27, of Lima, was sentenced to six months to be served in the Livingston County Jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.
On February 12, 2012, William Ehrmentraut, 51, was killed walking along route 15A in Lima when he was struck by Manley who was driving a truck and had allegedly recently finished sharing a 30-pack of Busch Beer with a friend.
“We all know what happened that night, we all know that Bill died on your watch.” said Gerry Ehrmentaut, the victim’s sister, during the victim impact statement.
According to 13Wham.com Manley originally told investigators the day after that he thought he had struck a deer.
The courtroom was filled with tension from the beginning of the proceedings with friends and family members feet away from Manley. In addition they brought the ashes of Ehrmentraut, a wooden box with an American flag on the front of it, feet away from Manley as he was sentenced.
“I’m not going to tell the court that this family is pleased with this sentence,” said Justice Francis Affronti, the fourth judge to handle the case because of the Ehrmentraut family ties to the Livingston County legal system. “This is a sentence that the family understands though and is in agreement with.”
Due to a lack of evidence the plea deal was made so that the family could gain some sort of closure from the nightmare.
Judge Affronti also stated that if Manley, violates parole he do everything in his power to ensure that he will serve the max sentence of seven years in state prison.
Manley at first refused to make a statement during sentencing, but after further prodding by the Judge he spoke.
“God’s going to judge me for my mistakes,” said Manley. “I have nightmares from this and I am truly sorry.”
According to the New York state DMV, Manley has never had a valid driver’s license and only temporary permits. At the time of the accident his learning permit was expired.