Nurse admits hit-run, will get 1-2 years in jail
A registered nurse pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of leaving the scene of a March accident that killed 15-year-old Marylee Otto in the Northeast.
A registered nurse pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of leaving the scene of a March accident that killed 15-year-old Marylee Otto in the Northeast.
Michelle Johnson, 40, of Lawrence Street near Nedro Avenue, in Olney, who had worked as a nurse at the Philadelphia Prison System, is to be sentenced Oct. 23 by Common Pleas Judge Benjamin Lerner to one to two years in prison, followed by three years' probation.
The sentence is a result of a plea agreement between the prosecution and defense. Johnson, who is out on bail, will be taken into custody Oct. 23.
In return for the plea, the prosecution will withdraw other charges, including homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter. Johnson will be prohibited from driving during her probation.
According to a summary of facts in the case, as read by Assistant District Attorney Leon Goodman in court yesterday:
About 11 p.m. March 28, Marylee was walking on the double-yellow median lines on Rhawn Street near Lexington Avenue, while her friends were walking off the road on the side of the street.
Johnson's vehicle, going in the same direction as the teens', "appeared to swerve" to the left "to avoid the numerous teens" to the side, he said. It then hit Marylee.
A driver who was behind Johnson "heard a thump or thud," Goodman said. That driver saw Johnson's vehicle stop, and heard the teens "yell and scream," he said. The second driver, who happened to be a co-worker of Johnson's, then saw Johnson's vehicle drive away.
The co-worker called police after seeing news reports of the hit-and-run. Marylee died at Frankford Hospital-Torresdale about 3 a.m. March 29.
Goodman said police found Johnson's car in the parking lot of the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, where she worked. When the co-worker confronted her, Johnson initially denied being at the accident scene. Johnson ultimately admitted to police that "she had pulled over, then gone to work," he said.
After yesterday's guilty plea, Marylee's mother, Theresa Sautter, said of Johnson: "I just want to see her put away. She has no remorse for what she did. Maybe she'll learn something in prison."
Johnson then was asked by a reporter if she felt any remorse. Her attorney, Mark S. Keenheel, replied on her behalf: "We're sorry for what happened."
Johnson then said in response: "They haven't talked to me. They haven't ever asked to talk to me," referring to Marylee's family.
Keenheel said the sentencing hearing would be the right time for his client to express remorse.
Johnson was employed by Tennessee-based Prison Health Services, which is contracted by the Philadelphia Prison System to provide medical services. Pat Nolan, a PHS spokesman, said yesterday Johnson's employment had been terminated April 2. Earlier, outside the courtroom, Scott A. Bennett, a civil attorney for Sautter, said he'll file a wrongful-death lawsuit against Johnson. Keenheel said he would not comment on this or anything more until the sentencing date. *
