MONROE - A Monroe man who pleaded no contest to homicide by use of a vehicle while using a controlled substance was sentenced to four years in prison and 10 years probation Tuesday by Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale.
Lawrence A. Pfaff II, 24, faced up to 15 years in prison and up to 10 years probation as part of the plea agreement for the class D felony. He pleaded no contest to the charge June 8. He will have to serve at least 40 months in prison before he can be released.
Pfaff, who appeared in court with his attorney Guy Taylor, told the court he was sorry for the "unnecessary tragedy" his actions caused Sept. 1 when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit a vehicle driven by James A. Ogbeide, 51, Madison. The accident occurred on Wisconsin 11 east of Lumber Yard Road near Juda. Ogbeide was partially ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Pfaff was taken by Med-Flight to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison.
Taylor told the court Pfaff deserved punishment and was willing to accept his punishment. He recommended Pfaff be sentenced to three years in prison with 10 years probation.
There were reasons why he thought a three-year prison sentence would be enough, Taylor told the court.
The level of marijuana in Pfaff's system at the time of the accident was below the limit that would impair a driver, Taylor said. He said Pfaff had smoked marijuana four days before the accident. He also said Pfaff had used cocaine two days prior to the accident. The amount of alcohol in Pfaff's system was also below the legal limit.
Taylor said the accident was due to negligence because Pfaff hadn't slept for about 24 hours before the accident.
"He fell asleep and he took the life of Mr. Ogbeide," Taylor said.
Ogbeide's family suffered a grievous loss, Taylor added.
"Nothing this court can do can change that," he told Vale.
Pfaff told the court he regretted what happened the night of the accident.
"I've replayed that night over and over," Pfaff told the court. "I learned my lesson. I feel I deserve the penalties I will receive."
Ogbeide's widow, Lawrenta, told Vale she wanted the court to sentence Pfaff to five years in prison. During her statement, in which she paused several times to compose herself, she told the court about how that night affected her and her family.
"My three children watch their friends play with their daddies," she said as her three young children looked on. "Their daddy won't be there to take them to games or to church."
Her young daughter will have to learn to go to school without her father, she said tearfully.
As she spoke to the court, Pfaff wiped his eyes with a tissue, while several of the approximately 20 people who came to court to be with him also cried.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman also recommended Vale sentence Pfaff to three years in prison with 10 years probation.
Luhman said Ogbeide was providing for his family and going to work when the accident took place at 4 a.m.
"Mr. Ogbeide and his family were victims," Luhman said.
But Luhman said Pfaff can be rehabilitated, and he said Pfaff was sorry for what he did. He said that was why he recommended a three-year sentence.
Vale told Pfaff that it was a series of bad decisions that led Pfaff to court Tuesday.
"The bottom line is that a man has died because of poor decisions," Vale said. "You didn't intend these consequences but a man was killed."
Vale noted the pre-sentence investigation recommended Pfaff be sent to prison for four to five years. He said he followed the recommendation in sentencing Pfaff.
After the sentencing hearing, Pfaff was taken to Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun.
Lawrence A. Pfaff II, 24, faced up to 15 years in prison and up to 10 years probation as part of the plea agreement for the class D felony. He pleaded no contest to the charge June 8. He will have to serve at least 40 months in prison before he can be released.
Pfaff, who appeared in court with his attorney Guy Taylor, told the court he was sorry for the "unnecessary tragedy" his actions caused Sept. 1 when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit a vehicle driven by James A. Ogbeide, 51, Madison. The accident occurred on Wisconsin 11 east of Lumber Yard Road near Juda. Ogbeide was partially ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Pfaff was taken by Med-Flight to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison.
Taylor told the court Pfaff deserved punishment and was willing to accept his punishment. He recommended Pfaff be sentenced to three years in prison with 10 years probation.
There were reasons why he thought a three-year prison sentence would be enough, Taylor told the court.
The level of marijuana in Pfaff's system at the time of the accident was below the limit that would impair a driver, Taylor said. He said Pfaff had smoked marijuana four days before the accident. He also said Pfaff had used cocaine two days prior to the accident. The amount of alcohol in Pfaff's system was also below the legal limit.
Taylor said the accident was due to negligence because Pfaff hadn't slept for about 24 hours before the accident.
"He fell asleep and he took the life of Mr. Ogbeide," Taylor said.
Ogbeide's family suffered a grievous loss, Taylor added.
"Nothing this court can do can change that," he told Vale.
Pfaff told the court he regretted what happened the night of the accident.
"I've replayed that night over and over," Pfaff told the court. "I learned my lesson. I feel I deserve the penalties I will receive."
Ogbeide's widow, Lawrenta, told Vale she wanted the court to sentence Pfaff to five years in prison. During her statement, in which she paused several times to compose herself, she told the court about how that night affected her and her family.
"My three children watch their friends play with their daddies," she said as her three young children looked on. "Their daddy won't be there to take them to games or to church."
Her young daughter will have to learn to go to school without her father, she said tearfully.
As she spoke to the court, Pfaff wiped his eyes with a tissue, while several of the approximately 20 people who came to court to be with him also cried.
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman also recommended Vale sentence Pfaff to three years in prison with 10 years probation.
Luhman said Ogbeide was providing for his family and going to work when the accident took place at 4 a.m.
"Mr. Ogbeide and his family were victims," Luhman said.
But Luhman said Pfaff can be rehabilitated, and he said Pfaff was sorry for what he did. He said that was why he recommended a three-year sentence.
Vale told Pfaff that it was a series of bad decisions that led Pfaff to court Tuesday.
"The bottom line is that a man has died because of poor decisions," Vale said. "You didn't intend these consequences but a man was killed."
Vale noted the pre-sentence investigation recommended Pfaff be sent to prison for four to five years. He said he followed the recommendation in sentencing Pfaff.
After the sentencing hearing, Pfaff was taken to Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun.