BELFAST (AP) – A 26-year-old Belfast man who was intoxicated and speeding when he caused a fatal accident in May 2004 has been sentenced to a four-year prison term for manslaughter.

A tearful Adam Weymouth was sentenced Monday after entering a no contest plea in April on the manslaughter charge. One of Weymouth’s two passengers, Richard “Dickie” Gould Jr., 27, of Morrill, was killed when the Camaro convertible rolled over, pinning Gould underneath.

“I’m very sorry,” Weymouth told Gould’s family during his sentencing hearing. “Dickie was a friend of mine, too. I have to live with this every day of my life,” he said in a voice cracking with emotion.

The accident happened on a Sunday afternoon in Searsmont after a drinking session that began the previous evening. Troopers said Weymouth’s blood-alcohol content after the crash was 0.15 percent, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08 percent. An accident reconstruction report indicated the car was traveling at 76 mph, more than 30 miles per hour over the limit.

Superior Court Justice Kirk Studstrup sentenced Weymouth to 11 years in prison with all but 50 months suspended, six years’ probation and 500 hours of community service on the manslaughter charge.

In addition, Weymouth was sentenced to concurrent 30-day jail terms for operating while under the influence of intoxicants and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. He was fined $2,400, ordered to make restitution of $1,000 for counseling for Sarah Anderson, another passenger in the car, and had his license suspended for six years.

Weymouth, who had been convicted of drunken driving in 2001, faces civil lawsuits as a result of the fatal crash.

Friends and relatives of those involved in the May 16, 2004, crash attended the hearing and many sobbed audibly as the facts of the case were outlined to the court.


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