The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Sherri Lynn Wilkins, a substance abuse counselor in California, hit a man with her vehicle and drove two miles with his body plastered to her windshield. Wilkins was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
The 55 year old Wilkins had pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and two counts of driving under the influence (DUI).
In 2014, Wilkins was found guilty on similar charges relating to the same crime, but an appeals court threw out the conviction based on the fact that her whole life’s criminal history had been admitted into trial and could have possibly caused prejudice with the jury.
She had received a longer sentence of 55 years to life before she appealed. Prosecutors refiled charges, to which Wilkins plead no contest.
Back in 2012 Wilkins was driving home through Torrance when she hit and killed a 31 year old man, Phillip Moreno. She drove two miles with his body embedded in her windshield before she was stopped by other drivers at a stop light, according to the court records. He later died at the hospital.
Wilkens drank three shots of vodka and a beer in her car before the incident. The defense attorney argued that there hadn’t been enough time for her blood alcohol to reach the legal limit of .08. Investigators report that Wilkins’ blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit an hour and a half after the crash.
If you or someone you love is suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), call Orange County criminal lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.