Local News
Death of GBC man draws 20 year sentence
Tracey Dewayne Johnson Sentenced to 20 years for Intoxication Manslaughter
3rd District Court Judge Mark Calhoon sentenced an Athens man to the maximum of 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for an Intoxication Manslaughter charge arising from a June 2008 wreck that killed 33 year old Billy Eric Thompson of Gun Barrel City. Also injured in the wreck were Thompson’s two children ages 4 and 2, both were care-flighted to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Johnson’s blood alcohol level which was measured shortly after the wreck was over three times the legal limit. District Attorney Scott McKee offered this evidence along with evidence of Johnson’s two prior DWI convictions during the trial.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, Thompson’s mother and widow testified about the impact the wreck has had on their and the children’s lives. Thompson’s wife testified that her husband and children had just left her job where they had brought her ice cream during her break and were heading back home. She stated that when she got the call that her husband was killed and her children were being care-flighted to Dallas she broke down.
Johnson testified during sentencing and read from a prepared statement expressing his sorrow and apologies for his actions that led to the wreck. The Defense also called Johnson’s wife who testified that since the wreck her husband had changed and stopped drinking.
During closing arguments, Defense Attorney Hank Skelton asked the judge to consider placing Johnson on probation because Johnson had changed his life since the wreck. District Attorney Scott McKee told the judge during his closing arguments that the scars the children have from the wreck don’t even come close to the emotional scars they will suffer for the rest of their lives. “It is apparent from his past that he did not learn his lesson from his first two DWIs and I am asking this court - actually I am pleading and begging you not to place this defendant on probation”, said McKee. “He did not change his life until he took another life. He needs to go to the penitentiary”.
Calhoon also sentenced Johnson to the maximum of 10 years in prison for Intoxication Assault.
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