OK Woman charged with 2019 manslaughter case has yet to be sentenced
A woman in Seminole County was in court on Thursday afternoon. She was supposed to be sentenced for killing a 20-year-old back in 2019.
WEWOKA, Okla. (KFOR) - A woman in Seminole County was in court on Thursday afternoon. She was supposed to be sentenced for the death of a 20-year-old back in 2019.
When the incident happened witnesses said she drove more than 100 miles per hour and lost control. Her convertible crashed into a concrete block, bursting into flames.
They went on to say that force sent bodies flying into the air. The victim, 20-year-old Trayvon Miller, was riding in the car when it all happened died.
The victim's family and the defendant, Natasha Long, were in court on Thursday afternoon. She and Miller’s sister both gave statements.
The victim's family says Long hasn’t shown any remorse since the incident.
Long was originally charged with first degree manslaughter and in January of this year Long entered a plea of no contest.
The judge has yet to accept that plea, but did grant the victim's family $11 million dollars in a settlement against long in July 2023.
On Thursday afternoon, the judge delayed his sentencing decision based on new information in the case he wants time to review.
“I believe her defense attorney did exactly what a defense attorney should do. I mean, he pointed it out. You know, her issue of the knowledge of whether or not her license was suspended and whether or not she had insurance and how that should impact her sentencing,” said Alan Taylor, victim’s family attorney.
On Thursday, Miller’s sister was in court and gave a statement asking the judge to give Long a sufficient prison sentence. She said her family wants closure.
In this letter to the Seminole County judge and court from Miller’s mom, Edith, she asked Long face a sufficient prison sentence.
You can read the letter below:
“I mean, she showed absolutely no remorse. None at all. And that's what the family wanted to see. And I think that could have had an impact on the court's decision if she would have... She does not care that she ended the life of my client's family member,” said Taylor.
In court on Thursday, Long gave a statement directed to the judge. She quickly apologized to the victim’s family and then talked about herself and how Miller’s death has impacted her and her family.
That’s also relevant in a letter Long addressed to the Seminole County judge. In the letter she did not once apologize for what she did, but instead referred to herself about how Miller’s death has taken a toll on her life mentally and financially.
You can read that letter below:
The Miller’s attorney says the family wants justice after five long years since the incident.
“She's had multiple opportunities to say I'm sorry and two times today we saw her... again talk about herself. And then while walking out here, you know, the family standing is right here as she's walking out and instead of saying sorry, she's just continues on. No expression, no tears. I saw no tears today,” said Taylor.
In court, Long’s attorney also noted how she has been an upstanding citizen, raising her daughter and owner a business.
“She talked about herself over and over again, how these last five years have impacted her life, it has impacted her child, it has impacted her other family members. And, you know, she wasn't thinking about how that could impact them [Miller’s family] when she killed my client's family member,” said Taylor.
Long’s attorney called Miller a "dear friend" of Long's. He also claimed Long is no threat to the public and called the incident an accident.
The State is seeking four years behind bars and 11 years probation.
The defendant’s attorney is asking for a suspended sentence with no incarceration.
The next court date is March 13.