Cassandra Smith sentenced to 29 years for DUI manslaughter of a Charlotte County deputy

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Cassandra Smith
Cassandra Smith’s mugshot. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

A woman found guilty of DUI manslaughter, among various other charges, has been sentenced to 29 years.

Cassandra Smith was sentenced to 15 years for vehicular homicide and 14 years for DUI manslaughter, to be served consecutively.

Smith was arrested for killing Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor in November of 2022. Her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit at the time of her arrest.

The sentencing was held at the Charlotte County Justice Center, and she, as well as the victim’s parents, spoke before the judge handed down his sentence.

Taylor’s father, Richard Taylor Jr., tried to keep it together in court as best he could, describing the last 14 months without his son.

“I walked into the room, and Chris was lying there. His eyes were open, and they were open weirdly. I said, ‘Chris get up, get up, there’s people to help you,'” he recalled of the night he first saw his son deceased. “His hand was ice cold, blanket over his eyes and ears. I said, ‘Christopher, get up,’ and I fell to the floor, and I said, ‘God, take me, not him.'”

Then Taylor Jr. looked Smith in the eyes and said, “I hope the buzz was worth it.”

“I died that night too,” said Taylor Jr.

During her testimony, Smith brought up her struggles with mental illness and wished she could take back that night on the road.

“The image of him laying there … I wouldn’t wish this feeling on my worst enemy,” said Smith.

Taylor’s family said the sentence feels like a form of justice, but nothing will bring Taylor back home.

She was convicted in December of killing the 23-year-old deputy.

During her trial, the prosecution showed video footage of the moment Smith, while driving drunk, crossed three lanes of traffic and struck Taylor.

At the time of her arrest, video evidence had shown Smith wandering around the scene, looking through her vehicle and fixing her make-up.

After the sentencing, Sheriff Bill Prummel made a statement:

“The next step for us is to honor Chris’ sacrifice in a more permanent way, and we are making progress on that through Rep. Roach’s bill to rename the I-75 Peace River Bridge in his memory. That bill has already begun the approvals process, and I will update you once we cross the finish line so we can again celebrate Chris’ legacy together.”

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