Vernon McRae was sentenced last week to five years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of his stepfather, Michael Washington, during a drunken argument in October.
McRae pleaded guilty to the charge in February.
According to prosecutor’s sentencing memorandum to the courts,
On October 26, 2010, following a verbal argument, Vernon McRae punched his stepfather, Michael Washington, once in the head. Michael Washington fell back and hit his head on the ground, and on November 1, 2010, Michael Washington died as a result of the injuries her received on October 26, 2010.
McRae expressed “significant remorse” for his actions, prosecutors wrote.
“Even before his stepfather died, [McRae] accepted responsibility for his conduct, and apologized repeatedly to various family members,” the sentencing memorandum states.
Still, Judge Gerald Fisher’s sentence of 5 years, or 60 months, was significantly longer than the 36 months prosecutors recommended for the crime.
Read the sentencing documents below.
