WOBURN, Mass. (WBZ-AM) – The Newton man convicted in the deadly Sweet Tomatoes crash back in 2016 was sentenced today to four years behind bars out of a possible seven-year sentence.
He was convicted of motor vehicle homicide in the deaths of Gregory Morin and Eleanor Miele. The two were killed and seven others were hurt when Casler’s car crashed into the West Newton pizzeria.
Casler’s defense claimed the crash occurred due to complications from his Multiple Sclerosis. They say, because of that, they believed he should not have been held criminally responsible for the deaths.
Judge Merita Hopkins said Casler’s actions were negligent, and not intentional. She says Casler had a legal responsibility to operate the car safely, and created unreasonable harm to others by getting behind the wheel in his condition.
Morin’s widow, Erica, was among those delivering emotional witness impact statements in court: “I do not believe Mr. Casler was thinking about others that day, or any other day, when he chose to drive, knowing his condition.”
Judge Hopkins also rejected a request from Casler’s lawyer for bail, pending an appeal of the sentence.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports: