Facing 30 years
Girlfriend-adopting millionaire's manslaughter trial draws celebrity lawyers &polo pros
John GoodmanABC News
Scott WilsonWilson Family
The upcoming civil case against John Goodman — that's the one that shed light on the Houston-raised millionaire's controversial adoption of his girlfriend — has received plenty of attention lately. But on Tuesday, Goodman's criminal trial for DUI manslaughter begins, with the air conditioning heir and polo mogul facing up to 30 years if convicted.
Charges stem from the night of Feb. 12, 2010, when Goodman left a celebrity bartending charity event and later sped through a stop sign in the Palm Beach suburb of Wellington, hitting the car of 23-year-old Scott Wilson and sending it into a nearby canal, where Wilson drowned.
Experts predict the trial will be centered largely around how much Goodman had to drink that night and when he drank it.
Goodman did not attempt to help Wilson, according to the police report. Instead he walked 100 yards, knocking on witness Lisa Pendleton's door to use her phone. His first call was to his girlfriend in Georgia, and though he expressed concern to Pendleton over appearing intoxicated, Goodman eventually called 911 about an hour after the accident.
His blood alcohol level was later tested at .177, double the legal limit.
Experts predict the trial will be centered largely around how much Goodman had to drink that night and when he drank it. The witness list includes several employees of The Player's Club, where Goodman was before the crash. Professional polo player Kris Kampsen, who was a celebrity bartender at the event, could also be called to testify about what he saw Goodman drinking and his behavior.
The jury may also hear from Stacey Shore, who told investigators that she declined an invitation to leave with Goodman because he was intoxicated and because he told her he planned to go get some cocaine.
Goodman is represented by high-powered Miami attorney Roy Black, who has also defended Rush Limbaugh and William Kennedy Smith, and the prosecution will be led by veteran prosecutor and assistant state attorney Ellen Roberts, who has tried more than 60 traffic homicide cases in her career.
The six-person jury will see both Goodman's Bentley Continental GTC convertible and Wilson's Hyundai Sonata, as both are being moved to a site near the courthouse.
The civil case against Goodman filed by Wilson's parents for his wrongful death is scheduled for late March.
