We have been struck by the number
of boating accidents that occur at night, usually with tragic consequences. We have
started calling the operators involved in these accidents "the midnight killer"
because that is what they are, and they are on the loose around the country. Virtually
all of the accidents have the same MO: going very fast in the dark and often DUI.
Authorities all over the country are cracking down and the punishments being handed
down are usually quite stiff. This tragic case is an exception --

What does a "midnight killer" look like? Robert LaPointe was sentenced last week.

Jury was Deadlocked on Manslaughter Charges



A mistrial was declared on two more serious charges of manslaughter after the jury
deadlocked on those and a charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. They
did reach a guilty verdict on two counts of aggravated drunk driving in connection
with the boating deaths, in Harrison Maine, last year of Terry Raye Trott and Suzanne
Groetzinger, and sentencing was carried out on November 12th.


Sentence Handed Down



LaPointe, 39, of Medway, Mass., received two concurrent five year sentences, the
maximum for aggravated operating a watercraft under the influence, with 1 1/2 years
suspended. He will have two years of probation. District Attorney Stephanie Anderson
said she was satisfied with the sentence, adding that she did not have plans to
retry LaPointe on the two charges of manslaughter and one charge of reckless conduct
with a dangerous weapon.


Judge Calls Lack of Remorse “Stunning”



In his decision, Justice Robert Crowley called LaPointe’s lack of remorse “stunning.”
He also named several examples of lies LaPointe told while under oath, including
statements about how much alcohol he drank that day and how fast he was going.



“Clearly the defendant thinks the rules don’t apply to him,” Crowley said. “At the
trial he blamed the victims.”



With his blood alcohol limit at .11 percent three hours after the collision, state
chemists estimated that it was between .11 to .18 percent at the time of the crash.
The legal limit for operating a vehicle or boat is .08 percent.


Previous History a Factor



Anderson said LaPointe's thrill-seeking and reckless behavior was evidenced by 23
speeding convictions, five convictions for failure to stop at a light or stop sign,
12 license suspensions, including two for being a habitual offender and nine other
motor vehicle offenses, all in Massachusetts.



As Meg Harvey, who was a long-time friend of Suzanne Groetzinger, watched LaPointe
board a correctional center bus in handcuffs, she commented, “It is just nice to
know that justice can be done, for 3 ½ years he can consider what he’s done.”