14 years in prison for fatal accident

A Marysville man who killed a motorist while trying to escape from police was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday.

The sentencing of Thomas Bradley Schuerenberg, 20, came after emotion-packed pleas by friends and relatives of victim Michael Waterman, 29. They sought more jail time for Schuerenberg, who pleaded guilty March 31 to second-degree murder.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman picked the middle of the sentencing range, turning down calls for the maximum of 18 years and recommendations by the prosecutor and defense attorney for a 12-year term.

Schuerenberg admitted he had been driving recklessly on Dec. 15 when he tried to outrun a State Patrol trooper in a stolen 1988 Camry, ran a red light at high speed and slammed into the side of Waterman’s 2001 Toyota Celica. The Sears retail sales employee from Everett was heading home from work.

At the time, Schuerenberg was being sought by police for failing to appear in court on a charge of attempting to elude police.

Several of Waterman’s friends and relatives spoke in court, many of them sobbing because of their loss.

Waterman’s fiance told the judge, "The love of my life has been taken from me."

Jamie Helmes asked for the harshest sentence possible so Schuerenberg could sit in his cell and think about all the lives he has torn apart.

"Why should he be left with hope while I have none?" she asked.

Several people mentioned Schuerenberg’s early statements to police when he attempted to shift the blame, questioning why Waterman didn’t get out of his way. He also asked why more troopers weren’t involved in the chase on Highway 526 so other drivers could see their emergency lights.

Waterman’s parents, Thomas and Betty Waterman, were so emotional they had trouble reading prepared statements to the judge.

"There was no reason for this to happen," Betty Waterman said. "It was just selfish."

Another son, Thomas Waterman Jr., finished reading his mother’s statement: "I will never forgive this young man for taking my baby from us." Close friend Daniel Jones addressed Schuerenberg, noting that the defendant’s "life is going to change for the worse," just like when he took Waterman’s life.

Jones said Schuerenberg ruined his own life as well as Waterman’s and that of the victim’s close family. "It’s had a devastating impact," he said.

Defense lawyer Max Harrison of Everett read a statement from the defendant in which he apologized to his own family, police and the court. "Most of all I apologize to the Waterman family. I am sorry," the statement said.

Harrison asked the judge for justice, not retribution. He said he understands the anger and frustration of the Watermans, but "no punishment can relieve their feelings, fill that void."

His client saved the Watermans the strain of a trial with a guilty plea, and he is ashamed of his actions, Harrison said.

McKeeman agreed that the Watermans have a right to feel angry, but he reminded them that Schuerenberg eventually will get out of prison no matter what sentence he imposes. The judge said he decided on a balanced sentence in the hope that Schuerenberg will be less of a risk to society when he gets out.

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.

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