A drunk driver who admitted hitting and killing a bride on her wedding night has asked a judge to reduce her sentence.
Jamie Lee Komoroski was forced to spend 25 years behind bars after pleading guilty to causing the death of newlywed Samantha Miller.
Komoroski, 27, ran into Miller, 34, and her new husband Aric Hutchinson, 37, as the couple rode on a golf cart after their wedding reception.
At her sentencing, Komoroski said she was “devastated, deeply ashamed and terribly remorseful” for her actions, which also left Hutchinson seriously injured.
She received 25 years for a reckless homicide charge, 15 years for two charges of DUI causing great bodily harm and 10 years for a drunken driving charge, all to be served concurrently.
However, the convicted woman has now appealed to a South Carolina court to reduce her sentence. Law & Crime reports.
Her attorneys argue the length of the prison sentence is “unjustified and grossly disproportionate” compared to other cases in the Lowcountry region and in “neighboring jurisdictions.”
They also claim the judge failed to take into account several mitigating factors, including the fact that Komoroski acknowledged her actions.
Drunk driver Jamie Lee Komoroski has now appealed to a South Carolina court to reduce her sentence after pleading guilty to causing the death of newlywed Samantha Miller.
Komoroski, 27, rammed into Samantha Miller, 34, and her new husband Aric Hutchinson, 37, as the couple rode on a golf cart after their wedding reception
Analysis of similar cases in the region for a drunk driving offense resulting in death shows that penalties range from nine to 18 years in prison.
However, Komoroski’s team showed that some cases involving multiple deaths resulted in sentences of only six years.
Her lawyers admit that “the seriousness of the crime was serious” but claim the judge failed to take into account several mitigating aspects, such as her lack of criminal history and guilty pleas.
They argued that Komoroski had demonstrated “unequivocal acceptance of responsibility for her actions” and that she had a known struggle with alcohol abuse.
They argue that her “sincere expressions of remorse” and her “rehabilitative potential” should be taken into account, among other factors.
The lawyers also blamed the intense media attention on the case.
Unlike Ms. Komoroski, all defendants similarly charged received some form of sentence reduction for pleading guilty, sparing the state and the victim’s family members from the emotional distress and trauma of a contentious jury trial.” the motion said.
‘These other cases have probably not received the same level of media attention; However, the great media interest cannot serve as an aggravating factor that justifies a longer sentence.’
The car and golf cart involved in the deadly bridal party were located in a towing company’s lot
Komoroski was sentenced to 25 years behind bars. She received 25 years for a reckless homicide charge, up to 15 years for two charges of intoxication causing great bodily harm and 10 years for a concurrent drunken driving charge.
At the sentencing, Komoroski made a direct and emotional appeal to Miller’s family.
“On the night of April 22, 2023, I chose to drive under the influence, which resulted in the death of Samantha Miller,” Komoroski told the court.
‘This is the worst decision I’ve ever made in my life. My poor decisions took away a beautiful wife, sister and mother… all I can say is how incredibly remorseful I am.”
Komoroski apologized to the family and said she will always be ashamed of her actions.
“I want them to know how sorry I am from the bottom of my heart and that I take full responsibility for my actions. “I will always be devastated, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry for what I did,” she said.
Komoroski didn’t take a plea deal, meaning the judge didn’t have to show her leniency because she spared Miller’s family a trial.
She was traveling at a shocking speed of 40 miles per hour at the time of the accident. Her blood alcohol level was reportedly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Despite expressing her remorse to the couple’s family, Komoroski has now argued that the judge failed to take several mitigating factors into account when sentencing.
Miller tragically died at the scene of the crash – just hours after exchanging vows with Hutchinson – still in her wedding dress.
Hutchinson, who survived the crash, suffered two broken legs, extensive facial fractures and traumatic brain injuries.