Cambria Gordon (HANDOUT) |
SANTA MONICA (KTLA) -- The wife of Hollywood producer Howard Gordon -- who created Homeland and 24 -- pled no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and will not serve time in jail.
Cambria Gordon was driving in Santa Monica last July when her cell phone fell off her center console and when she reached down to grab it, she struck 82-year-old Bill Smerling.
Smerling's wife of 52 years, Helen, says her husband labored in intensive care for a month before his body gave out and he died.
"He suffered terribly," said Helen in an interview with KTLA.
Cambria was originally charged with manslaughter with gross negligence, but later the charge was reduced to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.
She did not appear in court on Wednesday, instead her lawyer, Blair Berk, read a letter from her prior to sentencing, in which she expressed "deep sorrow and sincere remorse over the accident," and "not a day has gone by since July 20, 2011 that I haven't thought about and prayed for Mr. Smerling and his family."
Gordon also said in the letter, "I hope to have the opportunity in the near future to meet with Mr. Smerling's loved one to express my deep sorry and since remorse... in an appropriate setting without the presence of television cameras and strangers."
After she heard what the letter said, Helen called it "arrogant" and says she felt Gordon should have appeared in court.
"She said she wanted to meet with me face to face. She had her opportunity today and she didn't take it," said Helen.
Cambria has been placed on 36 months informal probation and she must perform 360 hours of community service. The judge said the community service should have an educational component related to distracted driving.
The Smerling's have filed a civil suit against the Gordons. That suit is pending.
Cambria Gordon was driving in Santa Monica last July when her cell phone fell off her center console and when she reached down to grab it, she struck 82-year-old Bill Smerling.
Smerling's wife of 52 years, Helen, says her husband labored in intensive care for a month before his body gave out and he died.
"He suffered terribly," said Helen in an interview with KTLA.
Cambria was originally charged with manslaughter with gross negligence, but later the charge was reduced to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.
She did not appear in court on Wednesday, instead her lawyer, Blair Berk, read a letter from her prior to sentencing, in which she expressed "deep sorrow and sincere remorse over the accident," and "not a day has gone by since July 20, 2011 that I haven't thought about and prayed for Mr. Smerling and his family."
Gordon also said in the letter, "I hope to have the opportunity in the near future to meet with Mr. Smerling's loved one to express my deep sorry and since remorse... in an appropriate setting without the presence of television cameras and strangers."
After she heard what the letter said, Helen called it "arrogant" and says she felt Gordon should have appeared in court.
"She said she wanted to meet with me face to face. She had her opportunity today and she didn't take it," said Helen.
Cambria has been placed on 36 months informal probation and she must perform 360 hours of community service. The judge said the community service should have an educational component related to distracted driving.
The Smerling's have filed a civil suit against the Gordons. That suit is pending.
