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On June 23, 2011, the defendant Bernard Sumpter plead guilty to DUI Manslaughter for the death of Len Joachim.  The plea was entered before the Honorable Peter Tench of the Newport News Circuit Court. 
The Commonwealth’s evidence showed that on the night of September 18, 2010, the defendant was operating a vehicle and initiated an argument with his passenger. The argument turned violent and ultimately the defendant lost control of his vehicle and it jumped the median on Jefferson Ave near Francisco Way and struck the victim who was standing the corner.  The victim later passed away from his injuries.  The Commonwealth was able to show that the defendant had consumed alcohol to the point of intoxication at the time of the incident. 
The defendant was sentenced to 10 years in the Virginia State Penitentiary with 7 years suspended along with numerous other conditions to include supervised probation, loss of license and restitution to the victim’s family.  The matter was prosecuted by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brock R. Maust. 

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