COLUMBUS, Ohio – Attorneys are seeking a reduced sentence for the man who confessed in an online video to causing a fatal wrong-way crash, but the prosecutor says he’s seeking the maximum sentence for Matthew Cordle.
In a filing in Franklin County court, the defense has asked the judge to sentence Cordle well below the maximum of eight years, arguing it would send a message about the value of taking responsibility for a tragedy.
But, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien says, while he believes Cordle’s YouTube confession was sincere, he still plans to ask a judge for an eight-year sentence.
O’Brien was expected to file his sentencing request in Franklin County court by early Friday afternoon. Sentencing for the 22-year-old Cordle is Wednesday.
Cordle pleaded guilty to causing the crash that killed 61-year-old Vincent Canzani of Gahanna after a night of heavy drinking in June.