Sweet Tomatoes Crash: Driver 'Doesn't Deserve' To Go To Jail

NEWTON, MA — The man charged after his car slammed into a Newton restaurant last year, killing two, was in court Monday, where Brad Casler's lawyer told the judge his client doesn't deserve to be incarcerated, according to multiple reports.

Still, Casler's lawyer did not yet indicate a plea change. Casler, a Newton resident, was expected to change his plea to guilty. But attorneys and Judge Laurence Pierce held a side conference and rescheduled for later this week, according to WBZ and Fox.

“Brad Casler wants to plead guilty, but he does not want, nor does he deserve to be incarcerated," he said according to WBZ and Fox reports on Twitter.

"His attorney [is] asking the judge to decide what his sentence would be if he [were to] plead guilty," tweeted Fox reporter Kathryn Burcham.

Casler, who has MS, stands accused of killing two and injuring seven others with his car in 2016.

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Earlier this fall the judge heard statements from those friends and family members affected when Casler drove his car into Sweet Tomatoes pizzeria killing two and injuring seven others. Friends of Casler asked the judge not to send him to prison at that time. Casler originally pleaded guilty, but was expected to change his plea today.

"Mr. Casler doesn't want to put people through a trial, that is the reason," his attorney told Patch on Sept. 21.

The prosecutors are pushing for a five-year prison sentence and say they haven't heard any acceptance of responsibility from Casler. And although Casler's lawyer is pinning the crash on a MS-related spasm, the prosecutor said today in court there was no evidence a spasm triggered the crash, according to multiple reports.

Casler's lawyer argues his client would trade places with any of the victims and has suffered and doesn't deserve prison time. He casts doubts that Casler would "survive the rigors of incarceration."

Casler's lawyer recommends six months house arrest. a lifetime ban on his drivers license, and community service requirements, WBZ reports.

Previously on Patch:

Sweet Tomatoes Case: Hearing Set

Newton Sweet Tomato Crash Case: Judge Hears Medical

Newton Sweet Tomatoes Crash Case: Tears As Victims

Tweets from the court case:

Photo by Jenna Fisher/ Patch