3 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - The man convicted of driving the pickup that forced three Del Campo High School students off a Carmichael road, killing one and injuring two others in 2007 was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison Tuesday.
Tyrone Palmer received 15 years to life for second degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Kailey McGagin. Palmer was also sentenced to an additional seven years and four months for reckless driving and other charges connected with the October 13, 2007 crash.
Before sentencing, McGagin's mother Erin asked Palmer directly to apologize for killing her daughter.
"I want to know you would take it back," a distraught McGagin said. "That's what I would like to know. Would you take it back?"
"Yes. I would," said a tearful Palmer as he turned to face McGagin and the courtroom. "I'm so sorry."
While Palmer apologized for the McGagin's death, he stopped short of taking responsibility. He claimed that he never saw the girls' car crash, but court testimony contradicted that statement. Palmer also said he hoped a lesson had been learned on drinking and driving - the girls had been celebrating Curry's 18th birthday that night.
Palmer, 41, was convicted last month for the crash that happened on Winding Way and Rustic Road in Carmichael.
Prosecutors said Palmer was angry after the three girls leaving a Fair Oaks party threw an egg at his truck. Palmer chased the girls down, eventually ramming them twice before running the Honda off the road.
McGagin died in the crash. Shelly Curry, now 20, remains in a coma two years after the accident. Valerie Schmidt, now 19, suffered serious injuries to her legs.
Palmer was arrested two weeks after the incident on auto theft charges in the truck that was believed used in the crash.
After the sentencing, Erin McGagin said she was relieved Palmer will not be eligible for parole for 22 years.
"He has root rot. He's sick, and he is where he need to be, and it just showed," said McGagin.
News10/KXTV
