Marian Marsha Josytewa, a 40-year-old woman from Polacca, Arizona, has been found guilty by a federal jury on multiple charges after a tragic incident that resulted in the death of one of her children. According to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, the charges include Involuntary Manslaughter, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, two counts of Child Abuse, and Driving Under the Influence.
The conviction comes after a six-day trial that ended on Wednesday, before United States District Court Judge Steven P. Logan. While traveling back to the Hopi Tribe homeland on the Navajo Nation highway on December 10, 2021, after consuming several beers, Josytewa rolled her car with her two children inside, one of whom was ejected and passed away. The jury found Josytewa guilty, driving under the influence, with a BAC level tested at the scene that showed .113. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 3, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona.
Under federal law, a conviction for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury could lead to a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Additionally, the charge of Involuntary Manslaughter could bring a sentence of up to eight years, and associated fines and supervised release, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona. The other convictions could tack on more than seven years' worth of penalties.
The case was investigated by the FBI Phoenix Division’s Flagstaff office and the Navajo Police Department, with support from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix prosecuted the case.
