Judge accepts guilty plea in fatal accident
A Fayette County judge accepted the guilty plea of a man accused of killing a Scottdale woman in a drunken driving accident after getting assurances that the arrangement was agreeable to the victim’s husband. Jeffrey Primus told Judge John F. Wagner Jr. that he was satisfied with the plea that will imprison 72-year-old Charles E. LaPorte for one to two years for vehicular homicide and an additional 30 days to six months for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Primus’ wife, 39-year-old Carla, was killed when LaPorte hit their car along Route 119 on Feb. 28. Police charge that LaPorte had a blood-alcohol content of .14, slightly over the state’s legal driving limit of .10. Jeffrey Primus, who was driving the car, suffered minor injuries.
LaPorte was initially charged with vehicular homicide while DUI, but as part of the plea agreement, Vernon asked that charge be dismissed.
In addition to the jail time, which will be served in a state prison, LaPorte also agreed to convey his 211 Frisbee Ave., Connellsville home to the Primus family. The home is valued at approximately $90,000, said District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon.
“This money (the proceeds from the home) can in some way be used to help the family of the victim,” said Vernon of the decision to hand over the deed to his home.
LaPorte must also agree to testify in favor of the Primus family in any civil action. Vernon said that the family was considering suing the bar in which LaPorte was drinking before the accident.
Wagner asked LaPorte if he was certain he wanted to agree with the conditions of the plea, noting that he could not force him to turn over his home to the Primus family.
Although Wagner offered LaPorte an opportunity to talk over the plea agreement with an adult son present in court, LaPorte said he was comfortable with the plea and fully understood what was going on.
The jurist also asked LaPorte’s attorney, Thomas Bowlen, if there needed to be any special arrangements made so his client would have medical care in prison. Bowlen said that LaPorte suffers from arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure.
Wagner asked Bowlen to note that so that the state corrections system could place him in a prison that would take into account his age and medical condition.
LaPorte will remain free on bond pending his Dec. 18 sentencing.