PORT ANGELES – Shawn Louis Newman, 19, of Port Angeles, was sentenced Thursday to 36 months in prison for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of the collision in which he killed Steven Biss on U.S. Highway 101 in January of 2006.
Newman reported to Clallam County Jail on Thursday night at 6 p.m., as instructed,
A jury in Clallam County Superior Court convicted Newman on March 8 of leaving the scene of the fatal car crash and driving under the influence of alcohol in the death of 48-year old Biss of Port Angeles.
The jury did not convict Newman of vehicular homicide, the primary charged filed against Newman by Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Kelly.
Though she expressed disappointment with the verdict in March, Kelly said Thursday that “justice was done.
“That was a very difficult sentencing for everyone involved – the victims family, the defendant’s family, the attorneys and the judge,”
In sentencing Newman, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams said he had to consider Newman’s age and remorse along with the seriousness of the crime and Newman’s behavior that night in January.
Newman drank with friends at a party west of Lake Crescent and sped into Port Angeles in his 1979 Ford Mustang, reaching speeds higher than 85 mph, according to court testimony.
Near the Welcome Inn RV and Mobile Home Park, Newman’s car struck and killed Biss, who was walking in the road.
Newman’s blood alcohol concentration was .07.
Biss’ was .21 at the time.
Newman said during the trial that he stopped a few blocks away from the collision.
He was arrested by Port Angeles Police a few minutes later as he drove his damaged Mustang on Marine Drive.
As part of the sentence, Newman is required to forfeit his vehicle to the county.
Williams did not give Newman a reduced sentence for being a first-time offender, a break sought by Newman’s attorney Karen Unger.
On Feb. 26, Newman pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana found in his car when he was arrested.
The court took 451 days off his sentence for the day he spent in jail after being arrested Jan. 30, 2006, and for the time spent on electronic home monitoring before Thursday’s sentencing.
