Attorneys for former Wellington polo mogul John Goodman fight to get sentence reduced in DUI manslaughter case

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Attorneys for former Wellington polo mogul John Goodman were in Palm Beach County court Monday morning in an attempt to get their client’s sentence reduced from 16 to 11 1/2 years.

Goodman, who was not in court, was behind the wheel in a crash that killed 23-year-old Scott Patrick Wilson in 2010.

Goodman was convicted initially in 2012 of DUI manslaughter and again in 2014 after a retrial.

In court Monday, Goodman's attorneys attempted to show how his behavior in prison makes him eligible for a lesser sentence.

The man who oversees a prison inmate program at the Wakulla Correctional Institution in Crawfordville called Goodman a model inmate.

Lili Wilson, the victim's mother, read a statement to Judge Jeffrey Colbath about why Goodman shouldn't get a reduced sentence.

"There has not been one day that goes by that I haven't wished this had never happened," said Wilson. "All of a sudden his life was over. After that day, his future accomplishments would never be realized. The loss that I feel is incomprehensible."

Prosecutors argued Goodman's 16-year sentence is already less than the 30-year maximum he could've received, and therefore should not be reduced.

In February 2018, the Florida Supreme Court denied Goodman’s appeal to overturn that sentence.

Goodman's attorney spoke to WPTV after Monday's hearing.

"Mr. Goodman is doing everything he can possibly do to not only improve himself but improve his fellow inmates," said Douglas Duncan.

"This is entirely legal and appropriate that they file their motion," said Assistant State Attorney Al Johnson. "It's the state's position that no mitigation is warranted and it's up to the court."

Judge Colbath said he will rule on the motion by April 4.