For Immediate Release October 22, 2007     

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

Charlestown Man Sentenced To State Prison In Connection With Drunk Driving Death Of
16-Year-Old Everett Girl

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a Charlestown man has been sentenced to 10-12 years in State Prison 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 on September 18 by a Middlesex County 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. 

Upon return of the verdict in September, Getz was immediately sentenced to five years in State Prison by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Hiller Zobel for the manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle charge. Today, Judge Zobel revoked that original sentence and then sentenced Getz to 10-12 years in State Prison plus15 years probation with fines up to $1,600.

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.

“The defendant, already a repeat drunk driver, knowingly and recklessly put the lives of everyone on the road in danger that night when he got behind the wheel while severely impaired,” District Attorney Leone said. “As a result of his actions, the lives of all who knew and loved Krystyl Poirier were tragically altered. Melanie’s Law provided law enforcement with additional tools to prosecute drunk drivers and this conviction and sentencing should send a strong deterrent message to anyone who considers getting behind a wheel while impaired.”

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, 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 pleaded 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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