Some of the men who participated in a beating a motorist who accidentally struck a child with his car in Detroit have been sentenced and the victim’s family spoke out at the hearing.
According to the Associated Press, the suspects, Wonzey Saffold and Bruce Wimbush entered a guilty plea to the charge of assault so attempted murder charges could be dropped.
They were among five other individuals who pled guilty and Saffold was sentenced to six years to ten years in prison while Wimbush received probation for up to three years.
The incident occurred when Steve Utash got out of his vehicle to check on a 10-year-old boy, who had darted out in front of his vehicle before he had a chance to stop. Before he could check on the child, he was beaten so badly he was put into a coma.
A sentencing for two more of the defendants is scheduled for Thursday.
The Detroit Free Press reported at Saffold’s sentencing, the sister-in-law of the victim, Mary Utash, said to him, “You disgust me, and you’re a disgrace to America.” The family had asked for the suspects to receive the maximum sentence.
Family members say Utash still has brain damage from the beating, of which about 20 people participated. Utash’s daughter, Mandi Utash, read a statement that was made from her father, where he said he only remembered that a teenager was punching him before he saw two men who were coming toward him.
The Prosecutor for the case, Lisa Lindsey, said the family also wanted their statements to be considered when the remaining defendants were sentenced later this week.