Wednesday, October 13, 1999
Driver who caused death gets 20 years
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Nearly half of the courtroom stood Tuesday afternoon before Judge Jay Bamberger of Boone Circuit Court to tell their memories of a Florence man who died last year and to hear the sentencing of the driver who admitted a hand in his death.
Judge Bamberger sentenced Nicholas Roeper, 19, of Amelia, to 20 years — 10 years for second-degree manslaughter and 10 for assault.
Mr. Roeper pleaded guilty to the charges in early September, the day his trial was scheduled to start.
Prosecutors say John Lampke II was driving his 2-year-old son, David, to a baby sitter on his way to work when his car was broadsided by a vehicle driven by Mr. Roeper at U.S. 42 and Farmview Drive on Oct. 7 last year.
Mr. Lampke was killed and his son suffered a broken leg.
Prosecutors said evidence indicated Mr. Roeper's driving was affected by drugs and alcohol and that he ran a red light that morning.
Mr. Roeper would have faced life in prison had his case gone to trial and he had been convicted of the original charge of wanton murder. He also was charged with first-degree assault and driving under the influence.
Friends and family of Mr. Lampke took turns at the witness stand, telling the judge of their memories. Mr. Roeper never spoke, and did not look them in the eye. He hung his head.
Joan Averdick, Mr. Lampke's sister, broke down as she told the courtroom that her brother was her best friend.
“John was a terrific uncle to my children ... ” she said. “My niece will never know her daddy.”
Her nephew isn't old enough to understand how good his father was, she added.
Mr. Lampke's widow, Mary Lynn Lampke, also spoke as her son wriggled on the floor and a relative held her daughter.
Mr. Roeper “gave us a life sentence, a life without John,” she said.
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