Following emotional testimony from both the defense and prosecution, Christian County woman Michaela Carpinet was sentenced by Judge Jamus Redd III Monday morning in Trigg County Circuit Court — ordered to concurrently serve seven years in prison for the January 2022 manslaughter death of beloved Roaring Springs man John Brandon.
Carpinet’s defender, Princeton’s Cody Hooks, first called Carpinet’s mother — Cara — to the stand as a character witness.
Cara noted she had Carpinet at 16 years old with a 19-year-old father, who after taking custody of her “ran off” and “sexually molested her” for “a very long time.”
She called her daughter a “good kid,” who in October of 2021 separated from her boyfriend and father of her children, and began hanging out with someone “not of her best interest.”
Cara said the two began drinking frequently, leading to her daughter’s spiraling depression, and this “unfortunate mistake happening.”
Carpinet then got to speak for herself in the matter, apologizing to the Brandon family for the first time.
She said if she had been in their shoes, “she wouldn’t forgive her either.”
Hooks called Carpinet a “perfect candidate” for probation, or at the very least shock probation, because she had no prior criminal record, acquiesced to every prior order in this case, continued to be a good mother to her three children, helped maintain a small business with her family, and had already served more than 200 days combined in jail and on ankle monitor throughout proceedings.
He also asked for probation because he said “she didn’t want to ask for it herself.” He also noted that on that January 1, 2022, morning, Brandon was out walking dogs on Military Road — and his intoxicated client had swerved to miss both the victim and his animals.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jill Giordano said she and the family “appreciated” Carpinet’s remorse, but called for full extent of the law on the crime — following a written impact statement from the Brandon family.
Redd then rendered judgment, and followed with a five minute recess in the court.
Carpinet’s mother, Cara, audibly wept as the charges were read. The Brandon family emotionally convened following the sentencing.
Along with manslaughter second degree, Carpinet was sentenced for DUI in a motor vehicle, no registration plates, no Kentucky registration receipts, no driver’s license, failure to maintain required insurance, failure to wear a seatbelt, failure to notify a change of address to the Department of Transportation and driving too fast for traffic conditions.
Giordano also noted a restitution order would come, totaling more than $22,000 in medical bills. Brandon died from the injuries he suffered on January 4, 2022.
