Advertisement

Courtroom gripped by grief, remorse

Drunken driver sentenced in death of Towson student

July 18, 2008|By Kevin Rector , Sun Reporter

His family described Kevin Ryan as a 6-foot-3-inch teddy bear who served as a human jungle gym to adoring young cousins, who was stubborn but fiercely loyal and who showed the potential to become a successful businessman. He was a graduate of Atholton High School in Columbia and had been studying finance at Towson University.

They also spoke of a scholarship they established in his name at Towson University and how he had saved lives through his decision to be an organ donor. They said his heart now beats in a teacher, who contacted them with his thanks.

In sentencing Miller, Dugan said he had read "with great emotion" statements from family members of Miller and Ryan that described both of them as good men. Despite the "cowardly way in which [Miller] left the scene," Dugan said, he "could not in good conscience" send Miller to the state penitentiary, which he described as a "hellhole."

Advertisement

After the sentence was announced, Miller addressed Ryan's family, saying he hopes his story is a lesson for others not to make the same mistakes he did.

"All I want to do is apologize over and over and over again," Miller said through tears. "Not a moment passes that I don't think of your son."

kevin.rector@baltsun.com

Baltimore Sun Articles
|