Courts

Helena woman recieves 25 years for negligent vehicular homicide

Posted: Jul 26, 2012 5:41 PM by Melissa Anderson - MTN

HELENA - Brandy Dullum has been sentenced to 25 years in the Montana Women's Prison, with 15 years suspended, for the negligent vehicular death of her friend Devon Richetti in 2011.

The Dec. 9, 2011, collision killed Devon Richetti, 31, and seriously injured another passenger, 22-year-old Leeann Stobart.

Dullum was also given a 10-year suspended sentence for a negligent vehicular assault charge; that sentence will run concurrent to the first.

In a separate rollover accident on I-15 on April 25, Dullum was sentenced to 10 years suspended, to be served consecutively for the criminal endangerment of the passenger.

Dullum's attorney Randi Hood argued that Dullum's losses and struggles with alcohol and depression warranted a lighter sentence, telling the judge, "We believe that Elkhorn, which is a 9-month treatment program as well as pre-release, which would be another six months, to be appropriate for her."

Judge Kathy Seeley did not accept the recommended sentence, stating, "I'm not going to accept the plea agreement. I think you are a danger to the community. And, I am not satisfied that you appreciate what a danger you are to all of us."

Dullum must also pay restitution for the costs of the funeral and cremation of Richetti; because medical bills weren't submitted by Stobart, those were not considered today.