Kansas Man Sentenced to Life
By: Jennifer Penate
Updated: June 1, 2012
PARSONS, KS --A Galena, Kansas man is sentenced to life in prison for causing an accident that killed a mother and her daughter.
A Labette County judge senteced 25-year-old Kaston Hudgins to two life sentences for the 2009 deaths of Teresa and Taylor Kemp.
He will serve the time concurrently, meaning the sentences will be served all at once.
Hudgins will have to be in prison for at least 20 years before qualifying for parole.
Three of the Kemp's family members took the stand to say how their lives fell apart after losing the girls.
Hudgins' mom Viola testified in his defense saying his whole family suffered from alcohol and drug addictions and violence.
"I hope in time the family will be able to forgive me just as I'll be able to forgive myself. I express my greatest sympathy and deepest sorry for your loss," says Kaston Hudgins.
"There's a hollow place in their hearts made by the loss of their family that no amount of time is going to replace," says Prosecuting Attorney Barry Disney.
Teresa and Taylor died after Hudgins crashed into their car while he was fleeing from Cherokee County deputies.
