Wyoming County Sentences: Man gets 16 months in girlfriend's death

A 34-year-old Tunkhannock man was sentenced to 16-60 months in state prison for the Thanksgiving Eve crash that killed his girlfriend last year.

Clayton Drew Firth said Wednesday that over the past 147 days in jail, "I learned a lot about my problem and I've taken what actions I could to fix that."

He added, "I realize what I did was wrong, but I can't go back and change that and I am very sorry."

Mr. Firth's attorney, David Lampman, told Wyoming County Judge Russell Shurtleff that his client realizes he is an alcoholic, "and it was his problem that caused his girlfriend's death."

He also noted that Mr. Firth was "humbled and grateful that the victim's family had offered him forgiveness."

The attorney submitted letters from the mother, stepfather, aunt and grandmother of the late Trenadie Leibenguth, and noted, "Each of which asks the court's mercy" that Mr. Firth be spared the maximum sentence.

Judge Shurtleff told Mr. Firth at his guilty plea last month he could face up to seven and a half years in prison and more than $15,000 in fines.

Instead, in addition to the prison sentence and $2,500 fine for the manslaughter charge, he got one to 12 months in state prison for reckless endangerment, and six months' probation and $300 fine for driving under the influence, with the lesser sentences to be served concurrently.

According to court documents, Mr. Firth told police he and Ms. Leibenguth drank a few beers before going out for dinner and then to a Tunkhannock bar. He said he and his girlfriend drank heavily at the bar.

While driving home in Eaton Twp. on Keelersburg Road about 2½ miles from his residence, Mr. Firth's pickup truck failed to negotiate a turn and crashed into a tree at 11:57 p.m.

Ms. Leibenguth was pronounced dead from her injuries the next day, Thanksgiving.

Others sentenced Wednesday:

- Amy Lee Allen, 21, Laceyville, 72 hours-6 months' county jail and $1,500 fine for DUI, May 28, 2011.

- Martin Paul Biel, 39, Clarks Summit, 12 months' probation and $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia, Nov. 23, 2011.

- Richard David Coolbaugh Jr., 16-60 months' state prison and $2,500 fine for DUI, third offense, Feb. 6, 2011.

- Keith Alan Finkler, 31, Scranton, 12 months' probation and $500 fine for theft by unlawful taking, July 15.

- Anthony F. Frens, 30, Dalton, 30 days-6 months' county jail and $1,000 fine for DUI, June 27.

- Jeffrey Hoover, 35, West Pittston, 23 days-12 months' county jail and $500 fine for loitering and prowling at night, Oct. 28.

- Michael Aaron Jerry, 24, Dubois, six days-6 months and $1,500 fine for DUI, Sept. 22.

- Dennis M. Kersey, 33, Albemarle, N.C., 30 days-6 months' county jail and $1,500 fine for DUI, July 13.

- Zackery James Kizer, 19, Tunkhannock, 2-12 months' county jail and $300 fine for impersonating public servant, Dec. 4.

- John E. Lundquist, 65, Hillsdale, Ill., six months' probation and $300 fine for DUI, April 19.

- Joshua Allen Manning, 21, Laceyville, 48 hours-6 months' county jail and $500 fine for DUI, March 26, 2012.

- Bilal Nasir Muhammad, 26, Tunkhannock, 148 days-12 months' county jail, $500 fine and $977 restitution for retail theft, July 7; 4-11½ months' county jail and $1,000 fine for terroristic threats, July 7, to be served consecutively.

- Shawn Michael Phillips, 37, Monroe Twp., three days-12 months' county jail and $500 fine for simple assault, Sept. 22.

- Christopher R. Price, 37, Hunlock Creek, 12 months' probation and $500 fine for simple assault, April 19.

- Nicole Lee Sands, 25, Meshoppen, 29 days-12 months' county jail and $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia, Aug. 10.

- Jamey N. Shoemaker, 27, Montrose, 23 days-12 months' county jail and $500 fine for resisting arrest, Aug. 22; 12 months' probation and $500 fine for possession of controlled substance, Aug. 22, to be served concurrently.

- Casey Arthur Smith, 20, Tunkhannock, 6-23½ months' county jail, $500 fine and $195 restitution for possession of drugs with intent to deliver, June 4.

- Terri L. Walker, 57, Tunkhannock, 30 days' house arrest, six months' probation and $1,500 fine for DUI, second offense, Aug. 3.

- Darren Joseph Wells, 50, Meshoppen, 60 days-6 months' county jail and $500 fine for DUI, May 20, 2011.

Contact the writer: bbabker@wcexaminer.com