Paxson pleads, gets 12 years

A drunk driver who slammed his pick-up truck into a Pennville house, killing a 16-year-old who was sitting in the living room, was sentenced to 12 years in prison late Wednesday morning.
Bryce J. Paxson, 47, 6717 W. 600 North, will serve a minimum of nine years, depending upon his conduct as a prisoner.
Paxson withdrew an earlier plea of not guilty and entered a guilty plea Wednesday to causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or more, a Level 4 felony.
Jay Superior Court Judge Max Ludy could have sentenced Paxson to anywhere from two to 12 years, opting for the maximum sentence. The sentence advised by the law is six years.
Paxson, whose criminal record included two felony counts of dealing methamphetamine as well as a misdemeanor count of drunk driving, was behind the wheel of his Ford F-150 when it crashed into the home of Jason Corwin, killing Corwin’s son Seth as he was texting his best friend on his cell phone on the night of Oct. 30.
“Twelve years for killing a 16-year-old doesn’t seem like that much,” said Ludy as he handed down the sentence. “It’s not going to bring this young man back.”
Weeping on the witness stand, Paxson expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness.
“I can never imagine the pain and suffering I have caused,” he said. “The shame and guilt … will haunt me the rest of my life. … I am sorry.”
But Ludy noted that remorse is difficult to gauge and said the age of the victim, Paxson’s past record and the nature of the accident itself were aggravating factors.
“You are supposed to be safe in your own house,” said Ludy.
Paxson, in fact, agreed that the sentence was appropriate.
“What do you think the court ought to do?” asked deputy prosecutor George Lopez. “Should the sentence be 12 years?”
“Yes,” Paxson said quietly.
Joelle Freiburger, Paxson’s public defender had asked Ludy to consider as mitigating factors his recent treatment at Meridian Health Services and the fact that he is a caregiver for his 77-year-old mother.
The sentence came after about 25 minutes of emotional testimony by friends and family of Seth Corwin.
“Seth was my only grandson to carry on my name,” John Corwin of Pennville told Paxson. “You killed him. I don’t know if you intended to or not but … you murdered him. You outright murdered him.”
With about 35 friends and family on hand, many of them wearing green t-shirts and carrying green and orange bandanas in memory of Seth, Michelle Penrod chastised Paxson for his behavior.
“You, sir, have never grown up yourself,” she said. “We are here to get maximum justice for (Seth).”
“He was my best friend,” said Molly Ault of Pennville, who was texting with Seth the night of the crash. “He was like my big brother. … He was the reason for my smile every day.”
Also testifying was Jay County High School band director Kelly Smeltzer.
“Our world turned upside down when we lost Seth Corwin,” he said.
As part of a plea agreement, an initial charge of causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more was dismissed.
Paxson was also assessed court costs of $183.50 and ordered to pay a drug and alcohol countermeasures fee of $200.
The sentence can be appealed.