No Winners, Losers in Loper Trial

Emotion spilled out of Judge Charles Graddick's courtroom following the sentencing of Michael Andrew Loper. Loper received 99 years for each count of murder in the deaths of Allyson Baker, and Matt and Brandon Willis. Those sentences will be served concurrently. Judge Graddick also sentenced Loper to 10 years for leaving the scene of an accident, to be served consecutively.

"Its not as bad as the murders, but leaving the scene was still extremely egregious when someone is fighting for their life on the side of the road and you drive back through and you don't do a thing to help, you don't pick up the phone and call 911," said Prosecutor Ashley Rich.

Rich tried Loper for murder, charging that he chased after and rammed Allyson Baker's vehicle three times, causing it to crash along Highway 45 north of Citronelle. It happened in January 2009. He was convicted of three counts of murder last month. Judge Graddick cited Loper's lack of remorse during the trial for imposing the lengthy sentence.

Defense attorney Jim Dailey responded, "That's because Judge Graddick hasn't spent as much time with him as we have."

Family members of the victims spoke to News 5 after the case. Paul Baker, Mary Allyson's father, said there are no winners or losers in this case.

"Its a sad thing. We just want to appreciate Ashley Rich and Officer Irwin for everything they did. I'm sorry for the Loper family but these are decisions he made and he'll just have to deal with them.

Allyson's mother, Janet, said, "A lot was taken from our family and that's what I want people to know--senseless acts, takes from families things that can never be given back and our children should pay attention to this and learn from it."

Family members of Allyson, Matt and Brandon wore pictures of them in court. Ruby Willis just wanted to remember her two grandsons.

"I did everything for them that I could possibly do-- their dad worked on shrimp boats and he was gone--and when he was home he was brother--he wasn't daddy, he was big brother," she said.

No one from Drew Loper's family talked to News 5. Defense attorney Dailey said he will appeal.

Rich said in Class A felonies involving deaths, a defendant must serve 15 years or eighty-five percent of his sentence, whichever is shorter, in order to be eligible for parole.