Florida: Cody Shirah sentenced to 60 years in prison for DUI deaths of Eric Young, William Gouge II, Josh Martin, Anthony Gouge
Four softball players from Ohio killed in Bay County DUI crash by Cody Shirah sentenced to 60 years in prison
THE DRUNKEN KILLER OF FOUR Cody Shirah sentenced to 60 years in prison for killing four Ohio men while he was DUI.
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on February 22, 2018, a Bay County jury found Cody Austin Shirah guilty as charged of 4 counts of DUI Manslaughter, 4 counts of Vehicular Homicide, DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage.
Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet then sentenced Shirah to a total of 60 years of imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. At trial, Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford and Assistant State Attorney Mark Graham proved to the jury that on September 16, 2016, Shirah sideswiped one vehicle on Highway 231.
Shirah then fled onto Pinetree Road at an excessive speed and ran the stop sign at Pinetree Road and John Pitts Road, colliding with a separate vehicle, a van carrying a team of five softball players from Ohio.
Four of the occupants of the van were killed, and one was seriously injured.
Testimony revealed that Shirah had 7.25 alcoholic drinks in his system at the time of the crash.
Shirah gets 60 years in quadruple DUI manslaughter
From The News-Herald
By ZACK McDONALD
News-Herald Reporter
PANAMA CITY — Despite his attempts to convince the jury otherwise, Cody Austin Shirah was convicted Thursday of drunkenly plowing through a stop sign in September 2016 and killing four visiting Ohio softball players.
Immediately after receiving the verdict, Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced 22-year-old Shirah to 60 years in prison and accepted part of the blame for releasing Shirah on drug offender probation only months before the fatal crash.
Shirah wept as each family called for the maximum punishment: life in prison.
It took jurors about two and a half hours to find Shirah guilty as charged of fleeing the scene a crash, four counts of DUI manslaughter and a count of DUI with bodily injury. After hearing the verdict, Overstreet also heard statements from the family members of the four victims — Anthony Gouge, 30, Eric Young, 25, William Gouge II, 29, and Josh Martin, 33, all of Ohio — about how the crash has changed their lives.
Shirah wept as each family called for the maximum punishment: life in prison. MORE
Panama City – A man convicted of DUI deaths of four baseball players that he killed while DUI and blowing through a stop sign was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Cody Shirah, 22, testifies Thursday at the Bay County courthouse to his role in a crash that killed four Ohio softball players visiting Bay County for a tournament.
The crybaby killer begged the families of the people he killed to forgive him.
Anthony Allen Gouge killed by DUI driver Cody Shirah in Panama City Fla
Obituary for Anthony Gouge
Anthony Allen Gouge, 30, passed away early Saturday morning, September 17, 2016, in Panama City, Florida as a result of a car accident. He was born February 23, 1986, in Columbus, OH to Kenneth Gouge and Lisa Linley. Anthony worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Engineering Department. He is survived by his fiancé, Deborah Chavez; children, Cali Gouge and Henry Sprouse, IV; brother, Mike (Brooke) Linley; sisters, Angel Linley and Mandy Giffith; aunts, Kim Gouge, Vicki Gouge, Donna (Glenn) Waller and Kandy Butler; uncles, Danny Gouge, Bill Gouge and Vic Butler; many cousins and nephews; best friends, John Bennett Xtreme Softball Team. Preceded in death by mother Lisa Linley, grandparents Mammy Cakes, Carl Gouge and Parth Butler. Visitation Monday, September 26, 2016, from 4-8 p.m. at BEECHWOLD CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 280 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43214, where funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Interment Union Cemetery.
William and Anthony Gouge killed in Florida by DUI driver Cody Shirah who was sentenced to 60 years in prison
Obituary of
William Matthew Gouge II
William Matthew Gouge II “Billy / Uncle B” was born October 21, 1986, and passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016. A lifetime resident of Columbus, Ohio- Buckeye for life. Preceded in death by uncle Stephen L. Parsell, grandmothers Mammycakes, and Grandma Parsell. Survived by father, William M. Gouge Sr.; mother, Victoria Parsell Gouge; brother, Stephen J. Gouge; niece, Annabelle Gouge; and nephew, Ross Gouge; aunts and uncles, Danny, Kenny, Kim, Donna (Glenn), Robbie (Kim), Terri and Mary; many loving cousins; best friend, John Bennett. Billy was a proud member of the softball community. Billy played for Associates & XTREME and many other teams throughout his life. Softball, sports, and family were Billy’s passion. Visitation Monday, September 26, 2016, from 4-8 p.m. at BEECHWOLD CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 280 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43214, where funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Interment Union Cemetery.
Obituary for Joshua Lee Chase Martin
Joshua Martin killed by DUI driver Cody Shirah in Panama City Fla. on Sept. 19, 2016
Joshua Lee Chase Martin, age 33 of Columbus, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on September 19th, 2016. Josh came into this world on June 15, 1983. Born the jubilant son of Daniel Wayne Martin and Sherry Linette Martin (Reeser), Josh was a fun-loving kid with an innate passion that was known by his family early on. That passion was sports, and he fell in love with anything that involved a ball. At the young age of two, he would sit and attentively watch High School Basketball games with his family. By the age of seven, he was keeping detailed scorecards of his favorite teams. Josh, even though he did not care for soccer, played for a few years until he was old enough for football. His reason was he didn’t want to be without a ball and a team to play with. His love for sports followed him throughout his life, especially in his adolescent years. Josh graduated from Circleville High School in 2001, and by the time he graduated he had made Varsity for the Football, Basketball, and Baseball teams. He attended Wilmington College for two years on a Baseball Scholarship. Josh continued to be an asset to Circleville City Schools as he coached Basketball for 3 victorious years. He loved kids and loved to teach children valuable skills in athletics. Josh would work for Acorn Distributors for eleven years, enjoying working with his father. In his free time, he loved being part of his softball league, playing with his best friends and often winning. Joshua was so full of life and was able to put a smile on anyone’s face. His loss is a tragic blow to those who knew him. Josh is preceded in death by his grandfather Donald Eldridge and his uncle Paul Doersam. Left to mourn his passing are his loving parents; Sherry (Luke) and Dan (Mary) his adoring sisters; Jessica (Dustin) Redman and Jordan (Jacob) Vangundy. His nephews, or his “little dudes”; Carson Redman, Hayden Redman, Harper Redman, and Wyatt VanGundy. Josh loved those boys dearly, and those boys adored their Uncle Josh. Also mourning the loss of this young man are his beloved grandparents; Linda Martin and Bob and Jo Reeser, as well as his Aunt Michele (Ted) Morse and five close cousins. Josh will be especially missed by his brothers from Xtreme Softball, who were there for Josh and continue to be there for his family, as well as many close friends. His girlfriend Angel Runion and her son Dom Turner, whom Josh raised as his own, will also miss Joshua dearly. Josh was a ball of light for those around him, and his good nature and positivity are summed up in one of his favorite quotes, “You make your own luck.” Arrangements have been entrusted to Defenbaugh-Wise Schoedinger funeral home.
Eric Anthony Young
Eric Young killed by DUI driver Cody Shirah in Panama City Fla.
CHILLICOTHE: Eric Anthony Young, 25, of Chillicothe, died Friday night, September 16, 2016, in Panama City, Florida as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born January 15, 1991, in Chillicothe to Anthony W. Sr. and Kendra F. Young Kennedy.
Surviving are his father, Anthony W. (Jamie Watson) Kennedy Sr.; his mother, Kendra (Larry Fox) Young; two children, Sophia Grace and Edric Antonio Young, and was the father to, Jordyn, Kendrick, Brenna and Chevelle, all of Chillicothe. The Family would like to thank Brittney Sprouse and Shellie Hartley for being special mothers to his two children; brothers, Kendrick Young, Michael Beatty, Anthony W. and Josiah Kennedy, all of Chillicothe; sisters, Jadelyn Young, Toni Kennedy, Shaday Beatty, Serenity and Jaeleigh Kennedy, all of Chillicothe; grandparents, Rev. Stanley and Becky Kennedy, of Chillicothe; he was very close to and loved his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Kenneth and Dorthea Young.
He was a loving father to his children and family and was the happiest when he was at the lake fishing and he loved his cars. A special thanks to the Xtreme Softball League and coach, Sean for all their support to the family.
Eric was a self-employed fisherman and attended Free Holiness Mission Church. He was a member of the Xtreme Softball League and trying to win his World Series Softball League ring. He also played in the World Series Softball League and several other leagues.
