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Cunningham presided over the case because Piccione has family affiliated with the Lawrence County courts.
Visiting Senior Judge William R. Cunningham of Erie ordered Piccione to spend 111/2 to 23 months in the Lawrence County jail, followed by 48 months of probation. Attached to her probation is an order of community service, for Piccione to speak to high school and church groups and the public about her personal experience of how drinking and driving can alter people’s lives.
To Piccione, he said, “that you chose to self-medicate is unfortunate. It didn’t make you a bad person, it makes you human, but it doesn’t justify what happened.
Her blood alcohol level was registered at 0.178 percent, according to the criminal complaint. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.
Cunningham encouraged the two teens “to both of your credits, you have persevered, through difficult medical treatments, pain and suffering and you missed out on your high school years. To your credit, both of you are striving to move forward.
Remorse and accountability were two reasons why a visiting judge said he showed mercy in sentencing a driver under the influence who caused a near-fatal traffic accident two years ago.
Debbie's been a journalist at the New Castle News since 1978, and covers county government, police and fire, New Castle schools, environment and various other realms. She also writes features, takes photos and video and copy edits.