Paul Wayne Lovelace, whom a jury said caused a death when he led police on a wild chase, will spend the next 13 years in jail.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Richard Niehaus sentenced Mr. Lovelace Monday and said the 26-year-old Springfield Township man acted irresponsibly and showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others during the chase on June 15.
''The jury has spoken, despite the protestation that the trial was unfair,'' Judge Niehaus said. ''The jury said his action showed a substantial risk of causing serious physical harm - in this case, death.''
On Oct. 17, a jury found Mr. Lovelace guilty of involuntary manslaughter even though his car was blocks away from the accident that killed Michael Tenhundfeld, 18, of Delhi Township.
Mr. Lovelace was sentenced to eight years for the involuntary manslaughter conviction, 18 months apiece for two counts of failing to comply with a police order, 12 months each for drug abuse and receiving stolen property. The car Mr. Lovelace drove was stolen, police said.
Police said that former police officer Gregory Berting was trying to join the chase when he ran a stop sign at Produce Way and Central Avenue, causing a collision with the car driven by Mr. Tenhundfeld.
Mr. Berting was fired from Cincinnati Police and is charged with negligent vehicular homicide. His trial is set for Dec. 1.
Judge Niehaus said the jury's verdict in Mr. Lovelace's case helps to further state law regarding involuntary manslaughter in that it clearly states that a person is guilty when his action is the cause of a death, even though he may not be at the scene.
Assistant prosecutor Richard Gibson said the jury's verdict was a logical application of the involuntary manslaughter law.
''The evidence showed he (Mr. Lovelace) caused the death of another person while fleeing police,'' Mr. Gibson said. ''We have case law in Ohio where two people attempted to rob a person on the streets. In the process the victim shot and killed one of the robbers. The other robber was charged with involuntary manslaughter because it was the robbers' action that caused the shooting.''
But the verdict and the sentencing caused criticism from relatives of Mr. Lovelace.
Carolyn Littrell, of Hartwell and Mr. Lovelace's mother, was critical of the trial and the judge.
''He accused my son of being irresponsible because of me. I don't condone using drugs or fleeing the police, but my son did not cause this death. This is wrong,'' Mrs. Littrell said.
Defense lawyer Kenneth Lawson said he will appeal the case.
