Palm Beach County Circuit Judge John Kastrenakes on Tuesday sentenced Jabari Kemp to 30 years in prison for taking the lives of five young people in a horrific 2013 two-car crash in Riviera Beach.
The sentence on five vehicular homicide convictions is considerably less than the term of 46 years and three months recommended by prosecutors two weeks ago. Kemp's attorney suggested just 15 years in prison was appropriate, and in line with punishments for other county felons with similar offenses in the past.
"A severe punishment is … in order," Kastrenakes said, adding he wrestled with the decision because Kemp "didn't intend to hurt anyone.