Nick Adenhart's Killer Gets 51 Years to Life in Prison

The man responsible for the deaths of the late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends in a terrible drunken driving crash last year was finally sentenced to 51 years to life in prison Wednesday.

Adenhart, a promising rookie, was killed on April 9, 2009 along with his friends 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson, a close friend of Matt Clapp from Sharapova's Thigh. A fourth passenger, Jon Wilhite, suffered a separated spine but survived the crash.

Andrew Gallo, a 24-year-old construction worker, stood before the judge as he was not permitted to look at the courtroom audience:

I know whatever I say will not change anything or the way you think or feel about me. You’re right. I am a horrible person, a drunk driver who took your beautiful kids away.

These powerful words come from young Courtney's heart-broken mother:

I am hollow inside. I will never be the same. I pray to God every day to bring her back.

Gallo was convicted back in September on three counts of second-degree murder and single counts of drunken driving, hit-and-run driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol while causing great bodily injury.

He was given 15 years to life on each of the murder counts and six additional years for the other crimes by Judge Richard F. Toohey.

Gallo, who was already on parole for a felony DUI conviction, had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, ignoring a red light at 65 mph and smashing into the car carrying Adenhart and three of his friends.

It's a damn shame his punishment doesn't change the fact that Adenhart, Stewart, and Pearson will never have a chance to live out their lives. Their parents, relatives and friends will never see them again. Although this sentence may bring some justice, I hope more that it brings peace and closure to the victim's families.

Please consider this story as you celebrate during the holidays and throughout the year. If you've been drinking, please don't drive home or get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Please stop people you know from making the same mistake. Some things you just can't take back.

[Los Angeles Times]