Deadly punch brings 4 years

The defendant's lawyer said the accused had been sexually abused as a child.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- A man said he was "very, very, very, very sorry" for punching and killing a man last year.
Seth S. Robinson, 20, of Clingan Road, Poland, spoke Friday at his sentencing hearing in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Robinson said he prayed for the victim, Larry Athey Sr., 59, of New Waterford.
Judge David Tobin sentenced Robinson to four years in prison.
Robinson had pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony. He had originally been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony.
He was in the parking lot of the Vittle Village in New Waterford around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 17, 2005.
Assistant County Prosecutor John Gamble said Robinson was being belligerent and obnoxious in the parking lot.
Gamble said Athey suggested to Robinson that he was out of line.
Robinson struck Athey, who fell and hit his head on the pavement. He died of internal bleeding 11 days later.
'Deeply troubled'
Atty. J. Gerald Ingram, who represented Robinson, said he was "a deeply troubled young man."
According to Ingram, Robinson was sexually abused as a child, was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and has a "serious" substance abuse problem.
Ingram said that neither of Robinson's parents were positive influences in the young man's life and that he was raised by his maternal grandparents.
Ingram asked that Robinson be placed in Teen Challenge, a faith-based recovery program.
Ingram said Robinson had no criminal record, but Gable said he had a juvenile record.
Atty. James Hartford read a statement from Athey's widow, Patricia, in which she described her husband as a kind and hard-working man. She said she lost her husband and best friend and is now alone because of one decision by Robinson.
wilkinson@vindy.com