WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A defense lawyer suggested Florida polo magnate John Goodman is a victim of discrimination against the rich as he was sent to prison Friday for a fatal drunken crash.
At a hearing in West Palm Beach, Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath denied Goodman bail pending appeal and ordered him to pay $50 for room and board while in prison. Goodman, who was sentenced to 16 years after his first conviction for the DUI manslaughter of Scott Patrick Wilson, 23, received the same sentence Friday.
Goodman was convicted in 2012, two years after Wilson's death, won an appeal and was then found guilty again last month. Colbath said even if he wins a second appeal Goodman would probably be found guilty again.
Colbath also ordered Goodman to pay $120,000 to cover the cost of prosecuting him.
"He has been treated like no other criminal defendant," said Elizabeth Parker, a member of his legal team. "Under the law all defendants are equal regardless of race, sex, religion or economic status."
Goodman knocked Wilson's car into a canal in Wellington and waited an hour to call police.
During his trial, Goodman's lawyers said police had no proof he was drunk at the time of the crash, arguing that he drank afterwards. His blood alcohol level tested at twice the legal limit three hours later.
Goodman also said he did not realize Wilson's car had landed in the canal.
