John Goodman denied new DUI manslaughter trial; polo mogul convicted in 2010 fatal crash
WEST PALM BEACH — In a significant blow to Wellington polo club founder John Goodman, his latest attempt to clear his name and overturn his 16-year prison sentence for DUI manslaughter has been denied. The multimillionaire has been twice convicted in connection with the death of a University of Central Florida graduate.
Goodman had accused his former defense attorneys of failing to present crucial evidence that he believed could have vindicated him in the case. However, Circuit Judge Jeffrey Gillen dismissed his motion for post-conviction relief, according to an order from the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office.
The Fight for Justice
Goodman's newest attorneys, Michael Ufferman and Don Pumphrey Jr., filed a motion for post-conviction relief in 2020, presenting new evidence that supports Goodman's version of events in the fatal crash that took the life of 23-year-old Scott Wilson.
Scott Wilson of Wellington. Wilson was killed in a car accident at 120 Ave. and Lake Worth Road around 1 a.m. Feb. 12, 2010.
A Fatal Collision and Accusations
The accident occurred when Goodman ran a stop sign, crashing his Bentley into Wilson's Hyundai in Wellington on February 12, 2010, at approximately 1 a.m. While experts testified during Goodman's trials that Wilson could have survived the initial crash, the collision caused his overturned vehicle to plunge into a nearby canal, where he tragically drowned.
Prosecutors alleged that Goodman, the heir to a Texas heating and air-conditioning fortune, fled the scene without contacting authorities for assistance. Blood tests taken several hours later revealed that Goodman's blood alcohol content was 0.177, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Ufferman and Pumphrey argued that Goodman's legal team during his trials, Scott Richardson, Douglas Duncan, Tama Kudman, and Elizabeth Parker, failed to call a toxicologist and a crash-reconstruction expert to testify and challenge the prosecution's witnesses. They maintained that if these experts had been presented, the outcome of the trial would have likely resulted in Goodman's acquittal.
John Goodman testifies during a hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach on, Fla., on August 30, 2023. Goodman was convicted in 2014 of DUI manslaughter and second-degree vehicular homicide in the February 2010 death of Scott Wilson. He is seeking a new trial.
A Legal Battle Unresolved
Despite Goodman's claims and the efforts made by his new legal team, Judge Gillen remained steadfast in his decision. In a two-part evidentiary hearing, the judge reviewed the defense's argument, particularly the omission of a toxicology expert from the original trial. Gillen concluded that the absence of a toxicologist was a strategic decision made by Goodman's previous legal team.
Assistant State Attorney Leigh Miller warned against being swayed by the criticism of Goodman's former attorneys, stating that the reason for his conviction was due to the lack of belief in his side of the story. Gillen agreed, affirming that even if Goodman's lawyers were found to be deficient, there was no certainty that the trial's outcome would have been different.
Judge Jeffrey Dana Gillen listens to oral arguments during a hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach on, Fla., on August 30, 2023. John Goodman was convicted in 2014 of DUI manslaughter and second-degree vehicular homicide in the February 2010 death of Scott Wilson. Goodman is seeking a new trial.
A Final Decision with Limited Options
With the denial of his motion for post-conviction relief, Goodman now has 30 days to appeal the judge's decision. This latest setback prolongs his fight for justice in a case that has garnered widespread attention.
While the legal battle continues, Scott Wilson's family mourns the loss of their loved one. The case has highlighted the importance of road safety and the consequences of driving under the influence.
Hannah Phillips, a journalist specializing in public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post, contributed to this article. For further inquiries, contact her at [email protected].
