Executive Summary
- Justin Golden was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the death of his 8-month-old son.
- The sentence significantly exceeded the recommended guideline of 13 years and the prosecution’s request for 25 years.
- Investigators stated Golden placed the infant on the ground at an intersection before running him over.
- Judge London Kite rejected the defense’s argument that the incident was a tragic accident.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Florida man who pleaded guilty to running over and killing his 8-month-old son was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday, receiving a punishment that significantly exceeded state sentencing guidelines and the prosecution’s request.
According to court documents from the sentencing hearing, Judge London Kite imposed the 30-year sentence on Justin Golden, rejecting the defense’s request for 12 months in county jail. Prosecutors had requested a 25-year term, noting that the standard maximum recommended punishment under the guidelines was 13 years. Golden received credit for 328 days already served following his guilty plea to aggravated manslaughter of a child in connection with the death of his son, Pablo.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident took place in January during a domestic dispute between Golden and the child’s mother. Investigators stated that Golden stopped his vehicle at an intersection, opened the door, and placed the infant on the ground. According to police reports, he then attempted to drive away, striking and killing the child.
Golden addressed the court prior to sentencing, asserting that he lacked criminal intent. "While I did not intend to kill my son and had no criminal intent, I know that is not enough," Golden stated. "I failed as his protector, as his father." His grandfather, Tony Harden, testified for the defense, arguing the death was accidental. However, Judge Kite ruled that the circumstances did not qualify as an accident. Detective Justin Brown testified that upon being informed of the child’s death, Golden asked, "Am I going to get in trouble for this?" rather than immediately expressing grief.
Judicial Sentencing Deviations
This case illustrates the substantial discretion available to judges to depart upward from sentencing guidelines when the nature of the crime is deemed particularly egregious. While sentencing scorecards in Florida provide a recommended range—in this instance, a maximum of 13 years—the judiciary retains the authority to impose sentences up to the statutory maximum for the charge. Judge Kite’s decision to surpass both the guideline and the prosecution’s recommended 25-year sentence signals a judicial determination that the act of abandoning an infant on a roadway constitutes a degree of culpability and recklessness that necessitates a severe punitive response beyond standard precedents.
