A civil court case between a Mattituck woman and the family of Joseph Marino ended on Thursday, when the two sides formally agreed to a financial restitution settlement and Caroline Goss admitting in an open courtroom that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol led to the death of the 15-year-old Hampton Bays teen in August of 2009.
With Marino's mother, Dorothy, crying in the first row of a State Supreme Courtroom in Riverhead, and Goss crying at the stand, Goss stated on the record that her actions led to the premature death of Joseph Marino.
"I want to tell you that I'm sorry," Goss said. "And let it be known that I take responsibility for what happened that day ... I knew I drank and got behind the wheel, and endangered your son's life."
Under the terms of the civil settlement, Goss will be required to write a $300 check to Marino - or in the case of her death, her estate or heir(s) - every month for 20 years. Marino will also be entitled to a $50,000 insurance claim paid out by Statewide Insurance.
Goss, who also had her six-year old child in the car at the time of the accident nearly three years ago, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, serving four months jail time.
Marino spoke with members of the media following the brief court appearance, saying that after three years in court, she finally heard on Thursday what she's been waiting to hear for three years.
"It’s what I needed to hear all along," she said. "It was the only reason we did this. I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again, there is no amount of money in the world that can make up for the loss of my son. But to have her finally admit the only reason he’s not here is because she was drunk – that’s what this was all about. She had to say those words. She had to finally admit that it wasn’t my son’s fault. It was her fault."
Goss' admission was part of the settlement, according to prosecutors.
Goss also asked that somehow, Marino could find a way to forgive her, though the mother said the wound left behind by Joseph's death is too deep.
"I don’t believe there’s any forgiveness with this. I do feel sympathy for her children, because they are innocent victims in this, but my son is the ultimate victim. And I just don’t see forgiveness. There’s more anger … Part of the anger was about her trying to blame my son. So now that’s she’s admitted it was all her fault, that part of the anger I can finally let go of."
what happened to "zero tolerance?" why, week after week, does this need to dominate area police reportage, to say nothing of reading about repeat offenders? why should they get another shot behind the wheel? can't we all agree that drunk driving is deplorable and shouldn't be tolerated under any circumstances? i know that communities situated like ours necessitates the need to drive, but these privileges should be immediately revoked under the circumstance of drunk driving--perhaps that would help some value their livelihood--and the lives of others--more.
I's comment above was correct " there but for the grace of God go I. Holding on to hatred is to deaden the soul. This woman has to live with what she did every day for the rest of her life,. The two parties made a settlement and perhaps someday, hopefully Josephs parents and loved ones will be able to forgive Ms Goss. Perhaps someday she will be able to forgive herself, but I doubt it. Bob.. I think that you have some anger management issues.. How can such hatred be sustained? It's unthinkable to me that you can live a happy life with all of the bile that you spill with every word. You're a gun totin' family so what if one of your kids got one of your guns and shot himself or his sibling or a playmate. Should that be first degree murder as well? And for whom? The child who shot the gun or the parent who made the weapon available to him? These issues are not black and white and if you are the Christian you claim to be do you sincerely believe that Jesus would agree with your policy of the harshest possible penalty or with your iron clad policy of non forgiveness? That's my problem with you self avowed Christians (other religions too but not to the same extent) is that they (you) profess to love Christ yet don't even consider leading a Christ like life. How does that work, exactly?