Reinhart given early release from prison

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A local man who killed a Decatur, Ind., couple in an alcohol-related accident on Labor Day weekend in 2005 was granted an early release from prison, per the terms of a negotiated agreement made at the time of his sentencing.

Luke Reinhart, 32, appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday as part of a hearing on whether he should be granted judicial release from prison. Reinhart, who has served five years of an eight-year prison term in the London Correctional Institute, appeared to be a changed person from the man who killed Kristian and Jade Amweg on September 3, 2005.

On that day, Reinhart, who had been drinking, was driving north on Dull-Robinson Road and ran a stop sign at the intersection with Wren-Landeck Road, hitting the Amweg vehicle and killing the parents of several young children.

Reinhart, who suffered serious injuries and had to be lifeflighted to Parkview Hospital for treatment, was later convicted by a jury of two counts of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Charles D. Steele.

That conviction was subsequently overturned by the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals and remanded to the local court for a new trial, but Reinhart pleaded guilty to the charges prior to the beginning of a second trial and was sentenced to two consecutive four-year prison terms on the charges.

As part of the plea negotiation, which was also approved by the families of the victims, Reinhart was to be eligible for early release after serving five years in prison.

Reinhart, who appeared in shackles and a prison jumpsuit, testified to his remorse over the accident and his maturing while in prison.
“I have had the opportunity to grow and reflect on the past,” Reinhart said under questioning by his attorney, Jon Rion of Dayton.

Reinhart also testified that he had kept his nose clean while in prison and also earned an associate’s degree through Urbana University, and that he planned to continue his education to earn a business degree from the university.

In granting Reinhart’s request for judicial release, Judge Steele placed the defendant on five years of community control and reminded him that his driver’s license had been suspended for life as a result of his conviction. Reinhart must also perform up to 200 hours of community service and undergo a substance abuse assessment and complete any programs recommended.