Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
After three changes of judge and multiple delays, Dexter Lee Anglin, 18, was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Wednesday.
Anglin pleaded guilty Oct. 23 to reckless homicide in the May 26 car accident death of Tara Likens.
Blood tests showed that he had marijuana in his system at the time of the accident and was driving at nearly 100 miles per hour down a county road.
Anglin was sentenced to six years in prison, with two years of the sentence suspended for probation, a $100 fine and $107,968.75 in restitution to the Likens family.
As a term of his probation, he must obtain substance abuse evaluation and show proof of full-time employment. His driver's license is suspended for five years.
Prior to announcing Anglin's sentence, Judge Rex Reed heard Anglin's and Likens' parents explain the impact the accident had on their families.
Speaking for Anglin, his mother, Julie Harper, said Anglin was "so remorseful" after the accident, and that "he cried for hours" when he learned that Likens was dead.
Harper also noted that Anglin went to the Likens and apologized right after the accident.
Since he's been in jail, Harper said, Anglin has been turning his life around. He's been going to church, she said, and reading the Bible faithfully. He also wants to help educate high school students of the danger of driving under the influence.
"I'm getting my son back and he's getting himself back," Haper said.
Following his mother's statement, a teary-choked Anglin stood and publicly apologized to the Likens family, saying, "I didn't know how to deal with it ..." and "I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."
Marti Likens, Tara Likens' mother, took the stand just after Anglin, and reminded the court of what Tara experienced just prior to her death.
"I cannot imagine the terror in my daughter's heart and mind when you were driving that car at those speeds, Dexter, under the influence of marijuana ..." Likens said.
She also refused Anglin's apologies .
"As for your remorse and apology," Likens said. "Your forced apology you gave to our family in our living room ... was not remorseful."
Following his sentencing, Anglin was remanded to the sheriff's custody until he is transported to an appropriate prison.
He will serve an additional 180-day sentence consecutive to this one for a public intoxication charge stemming from his November arrest.
