After two hours of wrenching, tear-filled pleas for both maximum justice and mercy, the man convicted of murder in the drunk-driving crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two friends was sentenced to 51 years to life in prison by an Orange County, California judge. Andrew Thomas Gallo, will be eligible for parole after serving 49 years.
The judge gave prosecutors what they sought: consecutive sentences on three second-degree murder charges and other felonies stemming from the April 2009 crash that killed Adenhart, 22, and friends Courtney Stewart, 20, and Henry Pearson, 25. Jon Wilhite, 24, survived the crash but sustained major injuries.
On the night Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings, Gallo was out drinking with his stepbrother. Just past midnight, he barreled through a red light in Fullerton at 65 mph and rammed his minivan into a vehicle carrying the four friends. Gallo fled on foot and was captured two miles from the scene. His blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit more than two hours after the crash.
"Not only was he driving under the influence, he was obliterated," the judge said, noting that Gallo was on probation at the time for an earlier drunk driving conviction. "Mr. Gallo, you have devastated four families, really five families with your own."
Speaking one by one, the families left no doubt of that. "I've had to do things a father should never have to do," said a distraught Chris Stewart, whose daughter Courtney was a student at Cal State Fullerton. "Do you bury your kid or cremate her? Do you donate her organs and her eyes? To carry her casket." He was followed by Courtney Stewart's mother, who addressed Gallo directly. "Andrew Gallo, the night you killed my daughter you killed me," Carrie Stewart-Dixon said. "I will never be the same."
The Adenhart family did not attend the trial but sent a letter to the judge that was read aloud. "There is no justice as long as Mr. Gallo is drawing a breath," it read. Elizabeth Wilhite told of her son Jon's near death and excruciating road to recovery, six weeks in the hospital, surgery to reconnect his skull to his spine using bone from his pelvis, months of painful rehabilitation. "He had to learn to talk, swallow and eat. He worked so hard to get back to normal," she said. "Mr. Gallo, you put my son through hell.... I hope you enjoy your new address."
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you need someone representing you who has a thorough understanding of California DUI law, as well as extensive experience defending people against DUI charges. At Goldstein Law Group, DUI lawyers Michael A. Goldstein and James A. Goldstein have been successfully defending clients charged with DUI for decades. When you retain our services, you can feel confident knowing your case will be handled by an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney who is not afraid to stand up to the prosecution and zealously fight your charges. We are committed to doing whatever we can to get your charges reduced or dismissed. In the event that your case moves to trial, we will vigorously defend you in court, and fight hard to ensure you are not found guilty. Call our office for a free consultation.