Castle Rock – Parents who lost their teenage sons in a fiery car crash now fear losing their sons’ friend – the driver of the car – to prison.
Todd Stansfield, 17, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a two-car accident last year that killed his three friends from Ponderosa High School and the 77-year-old driver of the other car. He was the lone survivor.
On Thursday, Stansfield’s family and friends, including parents of the friends who died in his car, rallied at the Douglas County courthouse to support the teen, who is being charged as an adult.
“I just think it is awful, what is happening to Todd,” said Sherri Budge, mother of 17-year-old Michael Budge, who died in the accident. “It’s almost to the point of being revengeful.”
About 100 people, many carrying signs and wearing T-shirts expressing support, greeted Stansfield at the courthouse, where he attended a motions hearing.
Among them were Ivan and Mary Majestic, parents of 16-year-old Tony Majestic, who also died in the crash.
Since their son’s death, the couple have had tattoos honoring Tony inked onto their arms.
Photographs and memorabilia, including a baseball signed by Tony to his dad on Father’s Day, June 18, 2000 – four years to the day before his death – adorn the family’s Franktown home.
Tony is never far from his parents’ thoughts, but now their main concern is Stansfield, they said.
“I just want this over with,” Mary said. “You just can’t concentrate. All I think about is Todd being in an adult prison.”
Also killed in the June 18, 2004, accident were Sean Student, 16, and 77-year-old Marvin “Mike” Gilchrist. Their families could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Supporters of Stansfield said the teenager should be charged as a juvenile.
“There definitely has to be a punishment, but reasonable,” Ivan Majestic said. “We would like to see probation and community service.”
The Majestics and others have spearheaded a petition drive aimed at swaying the Douglas County district attorney’s office to file charges against Stansfield as a juvenile. The group has 2,500 signatures.
But prosecutors aren’t moved.
“We believe the evidence supports the charges and that the charges are appropriate,” said Michael Knight, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office.
Stansfield is charged with four felony counts of vehicular homicide reckless driving; four felony counts of criminally negligent homicide; and four misdemeanor counts of careless driving resulting in death or injury. A trial is set for Sept. 27.
“We will leave it up to the court and a jury – members of the community – to what weight they want to give the evidence,” Knight said. “We sympathize with the feelings of all the people involved, but we have to make the decision we feel is best.”
Even if Stansfield is convicted on felony counts, the judge will not be forced to send him to prison, Knight said.
“We are on the record saying we are not seeking prison time,” Knight said. “We are not advocating that.”
Many of the teens at the rally carried signs, some stating: “Parker supports Todd,” “Todd is not a criminal,” and “Todd is a youth, he should be helped.”
Matt Cislo, 17, knows all the teens involved.
He played baseball with Tony Majestic.
“I hope he doesn’t go to jail,” Cislo said of Stansfield. “I hope people see it as an accident and not some horrible thing.”
Stansfield was 16 at the time of the collision. He’d had his driver’s license for 10 days.
Maryanne Stansfield, Todd’s mother, appreciates the support.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “There are so many people getting involved in this that have nothing to gain.”
Stansfield said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring, especially from the parents of his friends who died.
“They’re great people,” he said. “I love them so much.”
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-820-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
