No trial; Ackley pleads guilty
By Jane Beathard
Timothy Ackley
Family and friends of Mark and Jo Ann Williams were spared graphic details of the April crash that killed the couple, after the London man accused of causing the wreck abruptly decided to admit his guilt.
Timothy S. Ackley, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in Madison County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, averting a scheduled jury trial in the case. He admitted he was driving drunk on state Route 142 about 2:30 p.m. on April 2 when he lost control of his pick-up and hit the Williams’ motorcycle head-on. The couple died at the scene.
No plea bargain was involved in Ackley’s decision, according to county prosecutor Steve Pronai.
It might have been the thought of 40 prospective jurors and more than 12 prosecution witnesses waiting in the hall or the sight of uniformed deputies pacing the courtroom that convinced Ackley to cut Tuesday’s proceedings short.
“A courtroom setting sometimes makes the defendant re-evaluate his position,” Judge Robert D. Nichols told jurors.
Whatever the reason, Ackley’s pleas appeared to satisfy Williams family members.
“I’m very, very happy we didn’t have to sit through the details,” said Melissa Schopp, Mrs. Williams’ daughter.
Those details, including vulgar remarks voiced by Ackley about the victims, were likely to be aired during trial testimony. Trooper Shane Meddock of the Ohio State Highway Patrol testified at a September hearing that Ackley uttered insensitive and racially-charged comments at the accident scene and later at the patrol’s West Jefferson Post.
Ackley now faces up to 8 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for each of the dual convictions, depending on the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Regardless, his driver’s license will be suspended for life.
Nichols set sentencing for Dec. 13.
Denver Mathews, Mrs. Williams’ brother, will ask Nichols to levy a maximum total sentence of 16 years behind bars and $30,000 in fines.
That may or may not happen under current Ohio law.
“Consecutive sentences (for both counts) are presumptive, but not mandatory,” Nichols said. “Sentencing has become a complex process.”
Assistant county prosecutor Eamon Costello said the law requires certain conditions for consecutive sentences. Court staff will look at Ackley’s criminal history, parole status, likelihood of committing more crimes and other factors before making a recommendation.
“I will seek the maximum sentence,” Costello said.
Mathews, Schopp and other family members said they are ready to face Ackley on Dec. 13.
“I’m going to say what we won’t have (any longer),” said Michelle Brooks, Mr. Williams’ daughter.
Mathews said his sister, a nurse in a drug and alcohol treatment facility, would forgive Ackley’s reckless behavior.
“She would have taken care of him,” he said.
Mathews also noted his sister would work to toughen Ohio’s drunk-driving penalties.
“She would try to get the law changed,” he said.
I bet if Time Warner raided his house they would find stolen cable.
8 years is fair, I mean it’s not like he stole cable or anything.
Mr. Smith. I’ll dare you to compare 2 human beings to cable! You sound like a uncaring stupid person. Or better yet, “white trash”
Len….first of all, who do you think you are? I would love to read your posts if this was your mother, father, brother, sister or far worse, your child!!! To your response….8 years is fair, I mean it’s not like he stole cable or anything….YES you are correct. He did not steal cable. What he stole were 2 peoples lives!!!
I agree that he should get more. Two people dead because you went out drinking? How did you think you were going to get home? There should be special places for people like this. Hopefully he will get the max being as how he has a felony record already. His next “good deed” should be divorcing his wife to spare her any more of his crap!
This all sounds very personal if you ask me your comment is directed to him instead of the situation, like your question ” how did you think you were going to get home”. Did any one ever think maybe to ask the bar tender that was serving him why they didnt cut him off and stop serving him using their own personal descreation. If he was so drunk and causing a rukus most bar tenders call someone a cab or family member or friend to come and get them or even call the police for causing a disturbance, but no he was left to go out on the road drunk with out a care from no one until this sad sad accident took place. so when people like your self start making personal comments toward him try looking at the entire situation. consider both sides of the families , again people having a license to serve liqor also should be questioned about why they continued to serve some one that was that intoxicated. May God bless both of the families. I am not saying that this is ok but what i am saying is this was an accident not intentional.
so, are you saying it was the bar tenders fault? Timothy was the one who chose to get so drunk and drive. as long as you continue to uphold him, he will not take responsibility for his actions. he has proved that. how can you blame anyone else but the GUILTY person who is Timothy. it was not an accident. how dare you. it was his choice.
No mee I am not saying that it was the bartender’s fault, i only said that if he was that intoxicated and causing such a scene why didn’t they cut him off the bartender has that option, And also how dare you to say that i am upholding for him i am not whatsoever im only saying that if every one seen this and how he was acting causing a rukus at the bar creating a scene and even squilling out of the parking lot and over 60 witiness said they seen all of this I am saying some one should have called the cops. simply saying is all and never did i say that i was upholding for him you are correct he did make that choice to drink and drive but people being that impaired dont think the way a clear minded person would think. no one is blaming any one !!!!!!!! Yes he made a bad choice but i do not believe that he intended for this to happen. i feel your pain and your anger and for every one involved in this so im going to leave this at that because you are looking for an arguement but i will give you a prayer instead.
OMG 8 years is that all for taking two lives! He was DRUNK driving. That should make it worse! I bet the drug dealers that were busted in Madison County will get more time then this guy…just like they got more then the kid that killed his girlfriend in her friend’s driveway and the guy who shot the kid in Plumwood. I guess dealing drugs is worth more then a person’s life in Madison County. Thank goodness I live in Franklin County now I think Madison County court should check their priorities!
Thank you Jesus!