A Phippsburg man who was convicted of manslaughter 16 years ago while driving drunk is going to prison again, this time for an extended period after a judge decided he is incapable of reforming his behavior.
Samuel Burgess III was sentenced to eight years in prison, but could spend an additional seven years behind bars if he violates the terms of his probation.
The 36-year-old Burgess was sentenced last week in Sagadahoc County Superior Court in Bath by Justice Andrew Horton.
District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau described Burgess’ driving record as “appalling.”
“In the past, Burgess has been given the opportunity to change his behavior, so that a long prison term would not be necessary. He has rejected those opportunities.
The court had every reason to impose a long prison term on a man with a history of extremely dangerous driving,” Rushlau said.
In 1994, at age 20, Burgess was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated operating under the influence for his role in a Woolwich crash that killed one of his passengers and seriously injured another.
Rushlau said Burgess served nine months in prison after his 1994 conviction, and has since been convicted of operating under the influence three more times — in 2004, 2009 and 2011.
Burgess served prison terms for the 2004 and 2009 convictions, but never more than two years, Rushlau said.
At his March 2 sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Patricia Mador and probation officer Patrick Gagnon gave the court extensive information about Burgess’ driving history and chances for rehabilitation.
“The justice clearly understood how dangerous Burgess has been to the public for many years,” Rushlau said.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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