Saturday, August 18, 2012
There is anger and shock after Patrick McCormick gets one year in jail and five years probation after an August 2011 crash that killed a Creve Coeur teacher.
Patrick McCormick, 55, of Chesterfield was sentenced to one year in St. Louis County Jail Friday by Associate Circuit Court Judge Thomas Prebil. McCormick pleaded guilty to driving into Janet Esrock's car while he was drunk on August 26, 2011. Esrock was a popular teacher at Whitfield School in Creve Coeur. The one-year jail sentence was for a second-degree assault charge. Esrock's son Jonathan was also seriously injured in the accident. McCormick was also initially given five years in prison on the manslaughter charge, but the sentence was suspended and he was placed on five years probation. McCormick also must seek alcohol counseling and wear an alcohol monitoring SCRAM bracelet for one year after his release from jail. ‘I see her every …
Friday, August 17, 2012
Patrick McCormick entered guilty pleas to first-degree involuntary manslaughter involving a DWI and second-degree assault in the August 2011 crash that ultimately killed Creve Coeur school teacher Janet Esrock.
11:15 a.m. Update A St. Louis County Court judge sentenced Patrick McCormick to a year in county jail and a five year suspended term in connection with the August 2011 car accident that killed Whitfield School teacher Janet Esrock. The sentence fell short of what prosecutors said they expected when McCormick entered a blind guilty plea in June. McCormick told the court "I see her every day," referring to Janet Esrock. Esrock's supporters were angered by the decision, which also includes a period of alcohol monitoring after leaving jail. Stay with Patch for more reaction to the sentencing decision. Original Story A 55-year-old Chesterfield man who drove drunk into a Whitfield School teacher's car nearly a year ago, ultimately killing her…
Friday, June 22, 2012
The state recommended a seven-year prison sentence for the charges involving Janet Esrock's death. Sentencing was deferred until Aug. 17.
Patrick J. McCormick pleaded guilty Friday morning to first-degree involuntary manslaughter involving a DWI and second-degree assault. McCormick, of Chesterfield, was legally drunk when he drove his car head-on into another on Wildhorse Creek Road Aug. 26, fatally injuring Janet Esrock, a Whitfield School teacher, and seriously injuring her teenage son, Jon Esrock. Janet Esrock, of Chesterfield, died Sept. 11. About 10 of Esrock’s family and friends gathered in the courtroom to hear the plea and huddled with Key after the decision. Chuck Esrock, Janet’s husband, declined to comment to reporters after the hearing. McCormick answered questions from St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Prebil about his understanding of what was taking …
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Janet Esrock died September 11 following the late August crash.
Ten months after police said Chesterfield resident Patrick J. McCormick drove his car head-on into another on Wildhorse Creek Road, killing the a Creve Coeur school teacher and injuring her teenage son, McCormick is expected to plead guilty Friday at 9 a.m. in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Whitfield School teacher Janet Esrock died September 11, two weeks after the August 26 crash—having never regained consciousness. Her son, Jonathan Esrock was eventually released from hospital after multiple surgeries, and extensive therapy. McCormick was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter DWI and second-degree assault. The prosecutor in the case, St. Louis County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alan Key, said Thursday night McCormick …
Friday, January 20, 2012
Patrick McCormick faces a March 16 trial on charges connected to the August accident which later killed a Creve Coeur teacher.
A March 16 court trial was set Friday for Patrick McCormick, who is charged with DUI manslaughter and assault in the August 26 car crash on Wild Horse Creek Road that killed Whitfield School teacher Janet Esrock and seriously injured her teenage son. A motion in St. Louis County Circuit Court for a change of judges was granted to McCormick, and the case assigned to Thomas J. Prebil in Division 4. McCormick, 54, has pleaded not guilty to: McCormick's lawyer Friday would not comment on why he filed the motion to change judges. The previous assignment was Judge Maura McShane—the presiding judge of the courts. Esrock, 50, and her 16-year-old son Jonathan were nearing home on Wild Horse Creek Road on a Friday night, when McCormick's Chevy Tahoe…
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Patrick McCormick is charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault in connection with the August accident which claimed the life of a Creve Coeur teacher.
A Chesterfield man charged with first degree involuntary manslaughter and second degree assault in connection with the death of a Whitfield School teacher pleaded not guilty Wednesday in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Patrick J. McCormick, 53, was arraigned and entered the not guilty plea in a routine procedure, his attorney Scott Rosenblum said. Police said McCormick was drunk August 26 when the SUV he was driving crossed into oncoming traffic on Wild Horse Creek Road and crashed head-on into the sedan driven by Janet Esrock. Esrock's 16-year-old son was also seriously injured. Esrock, 50, died two weeks later from her injuries. McCormick is free on $100,000 bail.
Monday, October 24, 2011
A Chesterfield man faces two criminal counts in connection with fatal auto crash.
A St. Louis County Grand Jury indictment was unsealed in court last week in connection with the crash which killed a Whitfield School teacher. According to the office of state courts administrator website CASENET, the indictment against Patrick McCormick, of Chesterfied, includes the same charges filed by prosecutors in the case, First Degree Involuntary Manslaughter and Second Degree Assault. The indictment was filed Wednesday October 19, according to CASENET. Authorities say McCormick, 53, was intoxicated and driving on the wrong side of the road August 26 when he struck a vehicle driven by Janet Esrock near the Riverdale intersection with Wild Horse Creek Road. Janet Esrock died from injuries sustained in the accident two weeks later. …
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Patrick McCormick gained release from St. Louis County Jail Thursday after judge alters his bond.
A Chesterfield man charged in the Aug. 26 crashed that led to the death of Whitfield School teacher Janet Esrock left the St. Louis County Jail Thursday after posting bond. Patrick McCormick, 53, is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and a count of second-degree assault. He was being held on $100,000 bond. Judge Lawrence J. Permurter Jr. granted a motion filed by McCormick’s attorney Scott Rosenblum that allowed McCormick to post 10 percent, or $10,000 to secure his release. Jail records show that he left the facility about 2 p.m. He made a brief appearance at a hearing Thursday morning clad in a tan jail jumpsuit and shackles on his wrists and ankles. According to court documents, McCormick had a blood-alcohol level of .14…
Mike
3:48 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Yes, this sentence is a disgrace. I can tell you as an attorney that practices in front of Judge Prebil, this is not uncommon for him. He is very lenient in the courtroom and I've witnessed it on a number of occasions. There should be mandatory sentencing guidelines for drunk drivers that kill another human being. Horrible sentence, period. more ›