Dozens speak at Ottery sentencing

FOND DU LAC - The Campbellsport teen convicted in the car crash that killed three of her friends will spend a year in jail.

Carly Ottery, 19, was behind the wheel of an SUV with eight other teens when it crashed in Campbellsport in February.

Sabrina Stahl, Katie Berg and Caitlin Scannell died in the crash.  Five others were hurt.

It was an emotional day for an entire community as the sentence was handed down.

Nearly 200 people packed into a Fond du Lac County courtroom Monday. Emotions ran high as dozens testified at Ottery's sentencing.

Katie Berg's mother spoke behind a photo of her daughter.

"I lost my only daughter and it was pure hell," said Bonnie Berg.

Some pleaded for mercy for a friend.

"We have already lost three friends and now we don't want to lose another," said Ottery's friend and crash victim Theresa Flood.

• Photos: Campbellsport responds to tragedy

"People forget about how wonderful a person Carly is: bright, wonderful, quick-witted," said Ottery's friend and Crash victim Haley Fricke.

Ottery's mother described her daughter's sorrow.

"I feel helpless to do anything and Carly would do anything to make it better and undo it," said Lorraine Ottery.

But Ottery herself didn't speak. Caitlin Scannell's father coached Ottery in soccer this school year. Standing behind his daughter's picture he asked why Ottery never apologized.

"I can't believe how Carly could play the whole soccer season but never find it in her heart to say that she was sorry," said Tim Scannell.

Some said a stiff sentence is what she deserved.

"If Miss Ottery isn't held accountable then my sister's life and her friends' didn't mean anything," said Sabrina Stahl's brother Nathan Stahl.

Judge Dale English took it all into consideration.

"This is a difficult case. I've prayed on this case a lot," said English.

English decided on a year in jail for Ottery, but for the families and the victims, nothing will bring back the lives lost.

"We don't have a few rough days ahead, we face a lifetime of loss," said Caitlin Scannell's sister Shana Briske.

While she is in jail, Ottery will be allowed to go to school and work. After her time is served, Ottery will be on probation for five years.