23 March 2012
Last updated at 19:44 GMT
John Goodman could face up to 30 years in jail
The owner of a polo club in Palm Beach, Florida, has been found guilty of manslaughter in a drink-driving crash.
John Goodman, 48, ignored a stop sign and crashed his Bentley into the car of Scott Wilson, 23, which rolled into a canal, killing him, police said.
Police said Goodman fled the scene and did not call 911 for almost an hour.
Goodman could face up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on 30 April, but his defence lawyer says the verdict will be appealed.
“It is our belief that multiple errors were committed during and before the trial that, in effect, denied our client’s ability to get a fair trial,” defence lawyer Roy Black said in an email to the Associated Press news agency.
“We intend to file an appeal so that our client can receive the just and fair proceeding to which he is entitled by law.”
The blood alcohol levels of the International Polo Club owner were found to be .177 – more than twice the legal driving limit.
Goodman was charged over two years ago in connection with Wilson’s death and convicted on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular homicide.
R Soft Web Hosting