Pocono News Section

Woman Sentenced for Killing Valedictorian

Woman Sentenced for Killing Valedictorian - Friday, December 5, 2008 at 3:37PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Dec 5, 2008 @ 03:37pm EST
STROUDSBURG - A woman who killed a young man with a promising future learned her own future Friday. Earlier this year, Kathy Rogan of Saylorsburg pled guilty to killing Michael Lacey in Pocono Pines while under the influence. It happened in August of 2007.

Lacey was his class Valedictorian and a gifted musician. He was just a week away from starting classes at NYU.

When Michael Lacey was born, he brought a symphony into his parents world.

"He was full of laughter and he'd try to put smiles on people when they were struggling," said his father, Michael.

Eighteen years later, their song ended with the abrupt sound of metal smashing metal.

"It's an empty home. The twinkle in our heart is gone. It prevents you from truly enjoying life," said Michael.

Kathy Rogan veered out of her lane and crashed into Lacey's car in August of 2007. She was on several different prescription medications, and cocaine.

"It was always my nightmare," said Michael's mother, Cynthia.

She was working at the hospital that night. She watched her son die. She said, "I can't describe it. It's awful, it's awful."

Rogan apologized in court. It's the first time she spoke to the family since the crash.

Cynthia reacted, "I think it's despicable. I think that she's not sorry. She's not remorseful. She could care less. She cares that she's going to jail."

Inside the courtroom 19 people told the judge how Michael touched their lives. Many of them cried. Some sobbed. And all asked the judge for the harshest sentence possible.

The judge sentenced Rogan to anywhere from four years and three months up to ten years and six months behind bars.

Rogan thought the sentence was just but Cynthia said, "I think that she should not be allowed to see her children, see what they've done, where they go, smell them, talk to them, hear them, and that would be justice."

Now Michael Lacey's family and friends will try to keep his memory alive and his song in their hearts.

Michael said, "He left his mark here. Even in such a tragedy, I can't be more proud of him. I miss him terribly. "

The judge imposed a harsher sentence than investigators recommended because after Rogan pled guilty, they found cocaine in her system again.