Berea man accused of murder pleads guilty to lesser charge

Local News

August 21, 2010

Emily Burton Register News Writer The Richmond Register Sat Aug 21, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

RICHMOND — Elmer Ray French, 71, of Berea pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday for causing the death of Jason Isaacs.

French entered his plea before judge William C. Clouse.

French originally was charged with murder. As part of a plea agreement, he likely will be sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison.

French was driving drunk when his Dodge pickup truck struck a 1998 Toyota Camry driven by Isaacs, 35, head on near the intersection of Scaffold Cane Road and Logston Lane in Berea in December 2008.

Isaacs was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, where he later died. French was injured.

On Thursday, French addressed Isaacs’ family members who were present in the courtroom.

He said he was, “Very sorry for what happened.”

As French entered his plea, several of Isaacs’ family members began sobbing and buried their faces in their arms. After leaving the courtroom, many family members gathered on a stairwell leading to the courtroom. Some held each other in their arms, while others continued to sob openly.

Second-degree manslaughter is a Class C felony.

French also pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, second offense. For the DUI charge, he likely will be sentenced to 15 days in prison and a $300 fine plus $550 in court fees and costs.

French’s blood alcohol content was .18 at the time of the crash. State law defines a blood-alcohol level of .08 as being legally intoxicated.

Clouse set a sentencing in the case for Sept. 16.

Emily Burton may be reached at eburton@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. Follow Emily on Twitter at, RR_EBurton@twitter.com

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