KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Jackson County judge sentenced David Murdick Friday to nine years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Missouri Department of Transportation worker Clifton Scott in September 2012.
Two families said they’re hurting following the judge’s sentence. Family members said there is no winner in a situation like this.
“I love him and I miss him.” Clifton Jerome Scott, Jr. said, “My dad was a very nice man. He helped everybody and him not being in my life really hurt.”
Scott, a 15-year veteran with MoDOT, was putting up cones to warn drivers of an accident near I-70 and 291 Highway in September of 2012. A short time later, Murdick sped through the cones, hit Scott and killed him.
“Nothing can bring him back but we have to set an example, you know. Drinking and driving, you can’t do it.” Tanicca Braxton, Scott’s stepdaughter said
Court records say Murdick had a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit to drive of .08. At the time of the crash, Murdick was working as an attorney in Kansas City.
Dozens of Scott family members were in the courtroom today. Back in January, Murdick pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. On Friday Judge Jack Great sentenced him to nine years behind bars.
Clifton Scott’s fiancé Monique Bryant said she has an open heart and forgives Murdick. The husband and father of three struggled through a tearful apology to the Scott family, and to his own. He said he offered no excuses. Those words well received by Scott’s fiancé.
“I talked to his grandfather, I told his grandfather I love him, his grandfather didn’t have anything to do with it, nor did his family. David did it,” Bryant said.
Click here for more coverage beginning in September 2012 on David Murdick and victim Clifton Scott.
Earlier reports:
