Overview
- A judge on Tuesday ordered William Leger to serve 24 to 28 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, unarmed robbery and receiving a stolen vehicle.
- Prosecutors say Leger robbed a 7‑Eleven on Lincoln Avenue, fled police in a stolen car and drove the wrong way on Route 107 before striking and killing 19‑year‑old Ashley Forward on June 9, 2021.
- The sentence was imposed as consecutive terms of 18 to 20 years for manslaughter and 6 to 8 years for unarmed robbery, followed by five years of probation after release and parole eligibility in 2045.
- Forward’s family delivered impact statements at the hearing, describing her as a nursing student with a bright future and saying the loss has left an enduring void in their lives.
- Court reporting notes procedural details including that the plea was entered during jury selection, the sentence falls on the crash’s fifth anniversary, and outlets differ on Leger’s listed residence.