For Immediate Release  September 18, 2007

                                     
Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner  617-679-6522
                                                                              

Charlestown Man Convicted Of Manslaughter While Operating Motor Vehicle In Connection
With Death Of 16-Year-Old Everett Girl

Sentenced To Five Years In State Prison Under New Statute And Mandatory Minimum Established Under Melanie’s Law

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a Charlestown man has been found guilty of manslaughter by motor vehicle and other charges in connection with the April 8, 2006, motor vehicle death of 16-year-old Krystyl Poirier, of Everett.

Robert E. Getz, age 29, was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court Jury on charges of manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury, and operating a motor vehicle after a suspended license. 

Getz was sentenced to five years in state prison for the manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle charge by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel. Getz will be sentenced on the remaining charges at a hearing scheduled for October 22 at 2 p.m. in Middlesex Superior Court in Cambridge.

The charge of manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle was a statute established under Melanie’s Law, passed in October 2005, which also established a five-year minimum mandatory sentence for conviction of the offense, and requires a finding of OUI and recklessness.

“Although this verdict and sentence can never ease the pain of the Poiriers, we hope a loud and clear message has been sent - our goal is to deter anyone from getting behind the wheel while impaired through strict enforcement of the laws and severe punishment,” District Attorney Leone said. “Through Melanie’s Law, the Legislature provided law enforcement with additional tools to prosecute and punish drunk drivers, and that is exactly what occurred in this case.”

According to authorities, at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2006, State Police assigned to the Medford Barracks responded to a report of a three-car crash on the access road to Route 16 in Everett.  Upon arrival at the scene, police learned from witnesses that a BMW sedan was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane, striking a Saturn and then a Toyota Camry.  The driver of the Saturn, Christopher McFeely, age 19, and his passenger, Krystyl Poirier, age 16, were transported to local hospitals. 

Police spoke with Getz at the scene, and after detecting several signs of intoxication, placed him under arrest and transported him to the Medford State Police Barracks for booking.  Further investigation revealed that Getz had driven more than 400 feet in the opposite lane at speeds greater than 55 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone. He was determined to have a blood alcohol content of .17.

Poirier was later pronounced dead at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett.  The operator of the Toyota and his passenger were both treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. 

Getz was arraigned on April 10, 2006, in Malden District Court before Judge D. Dunbar Livingston.  At arraignment, he pled not guilty and was ordered held on $25,000 bail. 

A Middlesex Grand Jury indicted Getz on May 30, 2006.  Getz was arraigned in Cambridge Superior Court on June 9, 2006, where his bail remained set at $25,000.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Keeley.  The victim witness advocate was Anne Foley.

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