Deerfield man gets jail for underage drinking party

There was really only one question to be answered at the sentencing hearing for a Deerfield couple convicted of allowing an underage drinking party in their house that led to the deaths of two teens.

Are they going to jail?

Associate Judge Christopher Stride said yes and no.

Jeffrey Hutsell, 53, who witnesses said was in the basement of his home at 775 Summit Drive during an Oct. 13 party that ended with the deaths of Daniel Bell and Ross Trace, will be in jail for two weeks when he is not working.

His wife, Sara Hutsell, also 53, will not serve any jail time as long as she follows all rules of her 18-month probationary term.

"I have anguished over my attempt to fashion an appropriate sentence in this case," Stride said. "Jail time is the ultimate sanction, and this is a case that calls for that sanction."

The case drew unprecedented attention for misdemeanor charges filed against a previously law-abiding, wealthy couple. And the Hutsells became symbols in a debate over how much leeway parents can give their children when it comes to alcohol.

The Hutsell home, separated from Deerfield High School by a foot path through a wooded area, was a gathering place for almost 30 teens visiting the school for its homecoming weekend.

During a six-day trial in July, several teens testified they drank openly in the Hutsells' basement while adults watched television in a room just an open stairway removed from the area.

Bell and Trace were among five guests who left the party briefly to smoke marijuana, then died as Bell drove into a tree as they returned.

Tests showed Bell's blood alcohol content was .132 percent. Both sides agreed there was no place other than the Hutsell basement he could have consumed alcohol.

The line was drawn between prosecutors and defense attorneys Wednesday as to what weight Stride should give the deaths in determining the sentence.

The Hutsells were convicted of violating the state liquor control act, endangering the health of a child and attempted obstruction of justice.

"I think it is disingenuous and intellectually dishonest to say the Hutsells are responsible for the deaths of those two boys," defense attorney Robert Gevirtz said. "It shows the ploy to try and jack up their sentences by constantly bringing up the deaths of those boys."

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop made no apologies for her focus on Bell and Trace.

"For the defense to try to separate themselves from that tragedy is offensive," she argued. "But for the environment created in that basement, that tragedy would have never occurred."

More than 100 letters from the Hutsells' supporters were sent to Stride. Each described the couple as tireless volunteers and dedicated to their church and the lives of others.

Stride acknowledged "that these defendants have an extraordinary record of community service" but at the same time exhibited "horrifyingly bad judgment" on the night of the party.

He sentenced both to 18 months of probation and ordered each to pay $2,500 in fines. Both must also do 250 hours of public service work with agencies working to combat teen substance abuse.

He sentenced both to 30 days in jail when not working, then put all of Sara Hutsell's time on hold, and did the same for all but 14 days of Jeffrey Hutsell's sentence.

Bishop said she believed Jeffrey Hutsell would begin serving the sentence within a week.