WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Nicole Lacey was sentenced to 12 years in prison for running over her boyfriend with a car and killing him four years ago.
Judge David Renzi handed down the sentences in Jefferson County Court Wednesday morning.
A jury found her guilty in May of intentionally running over 28-year-old Jared Cook at their Antwerp home in May 2018.
She was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for each of two charges: first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.
She was also charged with a year in jail for fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Cook’s family members say they are conflicted about the sentences but are happy to have gotten justice for him.
“We seem to be conflicted with her only getting 12 years,” his sister, Jenna Cook, said. “I mean, a life seems way more than that to me, but at least justice was served, and she has to live with that for the rest of her life.”
The prosecution sought more prison time for Lacey.
“Considering the events of what happened, we felt 18 years was appropriate for the fact that an individual lost his life, that this intentional act had happened – however I completely respect the court’s decision,” said Nolan Pitkin, one of the prosecutors.
Before the judge announced Lacey’s sentence, Pitkin asked Judge Renzi to consider past incidents between Cook and Lacey, including one in which Lacey allegedly stabbed Cook to the point where he had to be treated at the hospital.
That allegation and others were not part of the trial. Judge Renzi declined to consider them.
Lacey was emotional when the sentences were read. She told the judge her children lost both their mother and father.
Lacey will serve all three sentences at the same time.
Defense attorney Gary Miles says he will file an appeal on Thursday.
“This case was four years old when we went to trial. So she has actually suffered a sentence for four years before ever being convicted of anything. This has been a tough road for her,” Miles told 7 News.
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