Monday, Sep. 21, 2009

Police trainee gets jail, not prison, for vehicular manslaughter

A former police officer-in-training escaped a prison sentence for driving drunk and killing his passenger after the parents of his victim begged a judge for leniency today in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Ryan Honnette of Denair was a probationary police officer in Stockton when he lost control of his SUV outside La Grange, killing Matthew Miller, 25, of Turlock.

Judge John G. Whiteside sentenced Honnette to one year in jail. He faced up to five years in prison, Deputy District Attorney John R. Mayne said.

"The judge thought it was justice," Mayne said. "I wanted prison. I know the judge did what he thought was right."

Miller's parents, Patricia and David, said they didn't want to see Honnette punished.

Patricia Miller said Honnette knelt by her son's side after the accident until help came. He also asked permission to attend Miller's funeral, she said.

"We grieve for Matt but we also grieve for Ryan," Patricia Miller said. "We want him to get on with his life and to have a good life."

"Ryan made a mistake that thousands of people make every day," David Miller said. "Fortunately, most of the time without consequences."

Mayne told the court that Honnette, who was nearing permanent status as a police officer, should have known the possible consequences.

"He was a police officer," Mayne said. "He knew the dangers."

Honnette pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. A plea deal capped Honnette's potential prison term to five years, including a one-year enhancement for another injured victim, Mayne said.

The accident happened just before 5 p.m. last October. The men were coming from a Clampers function, authorities said.

Honnette was driving a 2000 Ford Excursion with four other men: Miller, Blake Gonsalves, 25; and brothers Wesley and Timothy Romero, 27 and 25; all from Turlock.

During the accident, Miller was thrown from the left rear passenger window.

Honnette and Gonsalves were wearing seat belts, but the other three were not.

Bee staff writer Merrill Balassone can be reached at mbalassone@modbee.com or 578-2337.