A judge blasted a driver who was high on PCP when he fatally mowed down an East Village deli worker as a selfish drug addict who will forever be “haunted” by the crash — before she sentenced him Friday to 20 years to life.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Melissa Jackson also ripped Shaun Martin, 35, for blubbering like a baby several times in court, including when she found him guilty in July of 15 counts, including second-degree murder.
“You were crying as you’ve cried repeatedly throughout this procedure,” the judge said.“You’re only crying for yourself. You have to take the consequences of your choices.”
A stoned Martin, 35, was driving 90 mph when he ran over florist Mohammed Akkas Ali and injured three others in June 2013 at East 4th Street and Second Avenue.
“I believe on that morning in June 2013, you made several very conscious choices. You chose to get high, to take those drugs, and you chose to get into your car and drive,” Jackson said. “Those are choices you made, Mr. Martin, and there’s no doubt that they will come back to haunt you.”
Martin’s lawyer Arthur Aidala begged Jackson to impose the minimum sentence of 15 years to life, saying his client has mental issues and a debilitating drug addiction.
“He’s sick and he’s suffering and he’s been sick and suffering since day one,” Aidala said.
Martin, who was greeted in court by his dad, mom and brother, spoke publicly for the first time since his arrest to apologize.
“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, I am very and truly sorry for what happened that day,” he said, getting choked up.
Earlier in the proceeding, Ali’s son Rukanul Islam told the judge how his “honest” dad planned to retire shortly before the tragic crash.
“He worked all his life and just before the accident, he told me that he wouldn’t be working anymore. He would be retiring in two months,” said Islam.
He said his mother is still taking Ali’s death badly.
“The memory of my father still haunts her,” Islam said.
Aidala said he plans to appeal.