LIMA — The father of a man killed in a crash blamed police and the fear they instill in African-Americans for his son’s death.
“Do I blame you?” he said to the man who was in court to face punishment for speeding away from police and causing a traffic crash. “No, I just don’t blame you. I blame Lima police and their tactics that harass the hell out of our kids,” said Paul Curtis Sr. whose son, Devontae Williams, 21, died in the crash.
Kevin Godsey, now 18, said he fears police after what he has watched police do across the nation.
“The only reason I fled is because I was scared about how things might turn out based on what I saw on TV,” he said.
Godsey pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter. Judge David Cheney sentenced Godsey to seven years in prison and ordered he pay $14,313 in restitution for funeral and cemetery costs.
Godsey was 17 at the time of the crime on July 25, 2014. His case was bound over from Allen County Juvenile Court.
A Lima Police officer pulled behind Godsey’s van and said he smelled marijuana he thought was coming from it. No marijuana was found in the van. He attempted to stop the van, but Godsey sped away, reaching speeds greater than 80 mph on a street with a speed limit of 25 mph.
Godsey ran a red light on Kibby Street at the intersection of Central Avenue, several blocks west of where the chase began. Williams was a passenger in the other vehicle and was killed.
Assistant Allen County Prosecutor Jana Emerick defended police, saying Williams’ death was “100 percent attributed to the actions of Kevin Godsey.” She said police were only doing their jobs.
“To suggest otherwise is both ignorant and irresponsible,” Emerick said.
Curtis raised his hand and wanted to make another statement, but Judge David Cheney denied him the chance and had a few words to say on the matter.
“This case is not about, to any extent, the Lima Police Department,” Cheney said.
The judge said Godsey has a long history of crime as a child, with numerous burglaries to his credit and 10 total convictions at juvenile court. The judge said he’s not surprised Godsey committed this crime, given his past.
“Your record said it was going to happen,” the judge said.
Godsey also apologized to Williams’ family while fighting back tears.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he said. “That is from the bottom of my heart.”
Curtis told Godsey he has sat in the same chair in the courtroom making his own mistakes.
“At the end of the day, they don’t give a damn about you. You are a statistic. They will warehouse you. I’m coming to you as a father. I’ve been in this courtroom on that side, too. You’re going to have to get your life together,” Curtis said.
Curtis said his son is gone forever, and he has to live with that. He said all he can do is visit his son’s grave and wonder what he may have done with his life.
“After seven years, you will come home,” Curtis said.
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