CONWAY — A man charged in a 2010 road rage dispute that ended with the deaths of four family members has pleaded no contest to four counts of first-degree murder.
Russell Johnston entered the plea Tuesday morning during a hearing in Faulkner County Circuit Court and was then sentenced to 10 years in prison, Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said.
Johnston had less culpability than the other driver, who was found guilty last year and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Hiland said. He called the plea a good deal for the state, adding it was reached in close consultation with family of the victims.
"I think the theme is accountability and that actions have consequences," Hiland said. "Anytime you get behind the wheel of a car and you act like a moron, bad things can happen. In these case, four people are dead and a mother is without a son and without a family."
Johnston was charged in the Sept. 12, 2010 wreck that killed Frank San Felippo, 67, and Judith Ellen San Felippo, 66, both of Sun City, Ariz.; their son, John N. San Felippo, 35, of Vilonia; and their grandson, Jersey Lee San Felippo, 10, of Vilonia.
Johnston, who was partially paralyzed in the wreck, was scheduled to go to trial next month. He will be eligible for parole after 7 years.
Authorities have said James Holian and Johnston became embroiled in the road rage incident with each other and that the San Felippo car was not involved before being struck by Johnston's vehicle. Hiland said Holian swerved at Johnston just before the impact.
The dispute reportedly started when Johnston's vehicle didn't advance at a green light and was passed by Holian.
Holian was found guilty after a jury trial in September.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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