By Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted – July 17, 2023 at 10:34 p.m.
SALT LAKE CITY — A daughter and a wife shared memories Monday of the man who left their lives too soon. They said the justice system is flawed when a man can cause a death by making a choice to do drugs and drive irresponsibly, and not serve any time after he is found guilty.
“My dad was my hero. For as long as I can remember, I’ve looked up to him with immense admiration and respect. He’s the person I will spend the rest of my life trying to emulate. … He left this world far too soon, and we’re desperately in need of more people like him,” Anne Marie Bradham said.
Arthur Miller, 55, was killed in December of 2020 in a crash caused by a driver who had drugs in his system and was fleeing from a minor hit-and-run accident.
The family was disappointed Thursday when a jury decided to find that driver, Mitchell Solstad, guilty of a lesser charge of negligent homicide instead of manslaughter. Because the new charge carries a sentence that is shorter than what Solstad had already served, the man’s sentencing was held on Monday, only four days later.
Bradham said going directly from the jury trial, where she relived the accident that killed her father in graphic detail, to the sentencing just a few days later was traumatizing, and the family deserved more time.
“The result of this trial has only shown (Solstad) how easy it is to kill another person and easily get off the hook. It infuriates me that … he has been shown so much mercy when my dad was shown none,” she said.
Solstad, 28, was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence on Monday — 634 days in jail — for the three misdemeanor charges of which he was found guilty. However, he was given credit for time served, which means he will not spend any more time in jail.
Third District Judge Kara Pettit said she is bound by the law of Utah and the jury’s decision, but she said she agrees that he needs “significant intervention” and accountability.
“Your conduct was selfish, senseless, careless and absolutely avoidable — 100% — and I am quite concerned about the safety of the community in light of not only what the jury found in this case but the allegations (in another case). It’s remarkably concerning to the court,” she told Solstad.
Solstad was found guilty on July 13 of negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, after he was initially charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony. He was also found guilty of driving with a controlled substance, a class B misdemeanor; operating a vehicle without insurance, a class C misdemeanor; and infractions for not having a license or registration. The 634 days in jail includes consecutive sentences for each misdemeanor.
He was found not guilty of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and a charge for reckless driving was dismissed shortly before trial.
Although Solstad’s attorney, Wendy Lewis, argued that he had already served his sentence and should not also have probation, Pettit ordered him to pay a maximum possible fine, $4,250, as part of his sentence but suspended that fine if Solstad successfully completes two years of probation.
“I think it’s absolutely necessary for him to have supervision if he’s released to the community,” the judge said.
She also ordered that he not drive any type of vehicle, and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.