Jeremy Russell Gyiraszin, 49 of Westfield, Mich., was found guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault following a trial that began Dec. 2 and concluded Dec. 11.
The trial centered around an automobile accident that occurred April 15, 2022, on US 59 south of the Goodrich truck stop that resulted in the death of 59-year-old Pamela Cadwalder of Shepherd and injuries to her husband, Ralph Cadwalder, due to Gyiraszin traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of traffic.
Testimony was provided by numerous witnesses, including mental health experts, law enforcement officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, EMS personnel, members of the Cadwalder family, members of Gyiraszin’s family and witnesses from the accident.
The jury assessed 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the manslaughter charge and 10 years’ probation on the aggravated assault charge. Gyiraszin must complete five years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
“This case reflects the hard work and dedication of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and all those involved in seeking and ensuring justice. Our prosecutors worked tirelessly to present a thorough and compelling case. We hope this sentence provides some sense of justice and closure to the Cadwalder family, who have endured unimaginable loss,” Polk County Criminal District Attorney Shelly Sitton said.
Sitton thanked Retired Assistant District Attorney Scott Ferguson, who now serves as city attorney for the City of Livingston, for returning to prosecute the case and see it completed. She additionally thanked the City of Livingston for allowing Ferguson the time to complete the trial.
She also acknowledged the long hours of preparation put in by Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Dickens and Darrell Greer, commenting, “Without their attention to detail and reviewing thousands of pages of discovery, justice would not have occurred.
“My office and I remain steadfast in our commitment to holding offenders accountable and ensuring the safety and justice that our communities deserve,” Sitton said.
