On Tuesday, Joseph McNamara of Hamilton was sentenced to 55 years in prison without parole.
McNamara, 60 years old, was found guilty in June for the death of 9-year old Robert Leonardi, who died in a hit-and-run crash in July 2019.
McNamara was found guilty of negligent homicide, two charges of criminal endangerment, tampering with evidence, and possession of methamphetamine. Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright also noted McNamara's lengthy criminal history in the state of Pennsylvania.
Fulbright said at the hearing on Tuesday that Leonardi's parents read very emotional statements about the loss of their son to a packed courtroom.
This sentencing hearing was originally set for next week, but Fulbright asked to move it up so the parents could be present as classes at Corvallis High School, where they both teach. Those classes begin next week.
