Executive Summary
- Michelle Wierson was sentenced to 15 years, with 5 to serve in prison, for vehicular homicide.
- A jury found Wierson "guilty but mentally ill" regarding the 2018 death of 5-year-old Miles Jenness.
- The crash occurred when Wierson, driving 51 mph in a 25 mph zone, struck a stationary vehicle.
- Defense attorneys argued Wierson was experiencing a psychotic break, but the jury held her criminally liable.
- The defense team has announced intentions to appeal the verdict.
DECATUR, Ga. – A DeKalb County judge sentenced Michelle Wierson to 15 years, with five years to be served in prison, for the 2018 vehicular homicide of 5-year-old Miles Jenness. On Thursday, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson handed down the sentence, which also includes 10 years of probation and mandated mental health treatment, following a jury verdict that found Wierson "guilty but mentally ill."
According to court records, the sentencing follows a jury conviction on charges of felony vehicular homicide and reckless driving. Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison term, while the defense team, led by attorneys Bob Rubin and Kristen Novay, argued for a three-year sentence. Prior to the trial, the defense had rejected a plea offer involving two years of incarceration.
The incident occurred in 2018 on Midway Road in Decatur. Witnesses testified that Wierson was driving a Volkswagen at 51 mph in a 25-mph zone when she struck a stationary Toyota Corolla. The impact resulted in the death of Miles Jenness, a student at Winnona Park who was seated in the back of the stopped vehicle.
During the proceedings, the defense argued that Wierson, a licensed psychologist, was experiencing a psychotic break at the time of the crash. Attorneys stated she had stopped taking her psychiatric medication and believed she was racing to save her daughter from perceived danger. However, the prosecution emphasized accountability. Last year, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the DeKalb County District Attorney was precluded from introducing evidence that Wierson had voluntarily ceased her medication, a decision that significantly shaped the pre-trial legal landscape.
In court, Wierson expressed remorse to the victim’s family. "I want you to know, mother to mother, parent to parent, that I cannot imagine the grief that you bear," Wierson said, according to statements made during the hearing. The victim’s mother, Leah Jenness, addressed the court, stating that the family sought justice and accountability rather than retribution. "We have never been out for blood, only justice and accountability, because that's what Miles deserved," Jenness told the court.
Judicial and Clinical Implications
This case highlights the complex intersection of criminal liability and mental health jurisprudence within the Georgia legal system. The verdict of "guilty but mentally ill" acknowledges the defendant's psychological state while maintaining criminal culpability, ensuring that the sentence includes penal time alongside necessary treatment. The trial also serves as a significant reference point regarding the admissibility of evidence concerning a defendant's management of their own mental health treatment prior to a crime. Defense attorneys have indicated they plan to appeal the conviction, continuing the legal process surrounding these established precedents.
