Deerfield man gets jail for underage drinking party

A Deerfield man convicted of ignoring an underage drinking party in his house that led to the deaths of two teens in a car crash was sentenced to 14 days in jail today.

Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell, both 53, were convicted in July of violating the state liquor control act, endangering the health of a child and attempted obstruction of justice.

At today's sentencing hearing, Associate Judge Christopher Stride ordered that Jeffrey Hutsell spend two weeks in jail when not working. Stride said Sara Hutsell will not have to go to jail unless she violates the terms of her probation.

A Lake County jury had deliberated for seven hours before finding the Hutsells guilty July 21 on most of the charges against them.

The charges stemmed from an Oct. 13, 2006 party at their home at 775 Summit Drive that ended tragically when two guests died in a car crash near the home.

Daniel Bell and Ross Trace, both 18, were killed when the Volkswagon Jetta they were in with three other teens struck a tree. Officials said Bell, the driver, had a blood alcohol content of .132 percent.

During the trial, prosecutors said the Hutsells were aware some of the 29 teens who attended the party in their basement were drinking. They said the couple was watching television one floor above the gathering separated only by an open stairwell.

Defense attorneys attacked the handling of the investigation, calling police record keeping suspect and their testimony disingenuous.