MONROE - Maquita Stokes was found guilty of felony homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle Tuesday after entering a no-contest plea at the Green County Justice Center for causing a crash that killed an 81-year-old Browntown man.
Stokes, 31, Rockford, quietly answered Judge Thomas Vale's questions in single syllables as to whether she was fully aware of the ramifications of her plea. Vale accepted her plea and convicted her of the first of six counts she was originally charged with.
Stokes was found guilty of one Class D felony count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. She had a Class D felony count of homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited blood-alcohol concentration dismissed. She also had four Class F felony counts dismissed: two for injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and two for injury by use of a vehicle with a PAC. The counts were dismissed as a part of the plea agreement, with the count for injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle dismissed but read-in so that possible restitution could be received by the victim.
District Attorney Gary Luhman will argue for a bifurcated sentence on April 17 with a sentence of four years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision once Stokes is released. Vale is not bound by the plea agreement and could order that Stokes serve a maximum of 15 years in prison with 10 years of extended supervision. A pre-sentencing investigation will be conducted by the Department of Corrections and will delve into the personal history and character of Stokes, and advise Vale of a sentencing recommendation. Assistant Public Defender Guy Taylor said he will likely have a professional perform a separate PSI as well.
Court records indicate that on Aug. 8, 2013, Antone C. Grawehr and his wife Alma Grawehr, 82, were on their way home from their son's wedding in Milwaukee, traveling westbound on Wisconsin 81 south of Brodhead when Stokes' eastbound SUV swerved over the center line and collided head-on with the Grawehr's silver Dodge Caravan.
Antone Grawehr died on the scene due to cardiac arrest, after the force of the crash crushed his legs, broke his ribs, fractured his pelvis and left him with multiple lacerations and head injuries. His wife survived with a broken wrist.
Stokes' passenger Charlotte M. Jones, 41, had her arm fractured in the crash. Stokes also suffered serious injuries including a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a broken leg and was flown via Medflight helicopter to a Rockford hospital the day of the crash.
Stokes remains free on bond for the April 17 sentencing hearing.
Stokes, 31, Rockford, quietly answered Judge Thomas Vale's questions in single syllables as to whether she was fully aware of the ramifications of her plea. Vale accepted her plea and convicted her of the first of six counts she was originally charged with.
Stokes was found guilty of one Class D felony count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. She had a Class D felony count of homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited blood-alcohol concentration dismissed. She also had four Class F felony counts dismissed: two for injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and two for injury by use of a vehicle with a PAC. The counts were dismissed as a part of the plea agreement, with the count for injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle dismissed but read-in so that possible restitution could be received by the victim.
District Attorney Gary Luhman will argue for a bifurcated sentence on April 17 with a sentence of four years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision once Stokes is released. Vale is not bound by the plea agreement and could order that Stokes serve a maximum of 15 years in prison with 10 years of extended supervision. A pre-sentencing investigation will be conducted by the Department of Corrections and will delve into the personal history and character of Stokes, and advise Vale of a sentencing recommendation. Assistant Public Defender Guy Taylor said he will likely have a professional perform a separate PSI as well.
Court records indicate that on Aug. 8, 2013, Antone C. Grawehr and his wife Alma Grawehr, 82, were on their way home from their son's wedding in Milwaukee, traveling westbound on Wisconsin 81 south of Brodhead when Stokes' eastbound SUV swerved over the center line and collided head-on with the Grawehr's silver Dodge Caravan.
Antone Grawehr died on the scene due to cardiac arrest, after the force of the crash crushed his legs, broke his ribs, fractured his pelvis and left him with multiple lacerations and head injuries. His wife survived with a broken wrist.
Stokes' passenger Charlotte M. Jones, 41, had her arm fractured in the crash. Stokes also suffered serious injuries including a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a broken leg and was flown via Medflight helicopter to a Rockford hospital the day of the crash.
Stokes remains free on bond for the April 17 sentencing hearing.