A St. Louis man who served only 120 days in shock incarceration for his fifth drunken-driving offense received a 28-year sentence Tuesday for killing three people in his sixth case. He will have to serve 85 percent of that sentence.

Newton M. Keene, 47, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of aggravated driving under the influence resulting in a death and one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm. He pleaded guilty but said nothing when given the opportunity to make a comment as distraught family members watched the court hearing. Mr. Keene's blood-alcohol level was above a .20 from the blood test adminstered after the accident.

State’s Attorney William Mudge personally handled the proceedings. Mudge stated that the 28-year sentence, the maximum under the law, is the only way to keep people like Keene from doing more harm.

The fact that more than one person died made Keene eligible for the extended maximum term of 28 years, but all the sentences will run concurrently. "History has shown us that keeping Mr. Keene behind bars is the only way to keep him from harming others on our roadways. This crash was horrific on many fronts, and the sentence, although for the maximum term of years allowed by law, is inadequate when considering the losses suffered by the Jackson family," Mudge said.

He said the sentence, although the maximum, is probably not enough to deter future drunken driving deaths, but it may serve to remind some people of the dangers.
For further information contact your Local DUI Attorney.