A Shreveport woman must serve 25 years at hard labor in prison, the first three years without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, following her sentencing in Caddo District Judge John Mosely Jr.’s courtroom Monday, January 30, 2017.
Ashley Nicole Heins, 37, drifted her vehicle into oncoming traffic after taking several Klonopin tablets while reportedly driving to a rehab facility on August 18, 2015. The crash she caused at Linwood Avenue and West 83rd Street resulted in mortal injuries to a motorcyclist, 55-year-old Franklin Daniel Jacobs. Jacobs was rushed to University Health and despite being placed on life-support succumbed to his injuries about a week later.
A post-accident blood sample taken from Heins tested positive for several Schedule III and IV controlled dangerous substances. Heins was discovered to have a prior felony conviction for attempted distribution of a schedule IV CDS and had received a probated sentence. She also has a lengthy criminal history of convictions for assaultive behavior and traffic violations including driving while intoxicated, hit and run, reckless operation, driving under suspension, simple criminal damage to property and simple battery.
Heins withdrew a previous not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to the charge on March 2, 2016.
“The victim’s family was in court this morning at the sentencing and became emotional, but expressed relief that this ordeal is behind them,” said Caddo Parish Assistant District Attorney Holly McGinness, who prosecuted the case. “Although dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult, something you never truly get over, hopefully this will give Mr. Jacobs’ family some closure.”
Sarah Smith of the Caddo Parish Indigent Defender’s Office represented Heins when she plead guilty last March. Her counsel at the sentencing hearing Monday was Michelle Andrepont.