CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) – A man convicted in the deadly hit-and-run of an 8-year-old boy in Chesapeake was back in court Thursday trying to reduce his sentence.
The judge denied Richard Humbert’s request to have his 5-year sentence reconsidered. Humbert was convicted in the hit-and-run crash on South Battlefield Boulevard in October 2023 that killed 8-year-old Forrest Hooper.
It was an emotional day inside that Chesapeake courtroom. The first two rows on the left were filled with Forrest’s loved ones. On the other side sat Humbert. Behind him sat a few supporters, his girlfriend and a former coworker and a friend.
Humbert’s attorney was hoping to get his 5-year sentence dropped down to three years, arguing he has no criminal history and no malicious intent. They also cite Humbert didn’t alter or hide damage to the car – he was found at home when police confronted him.
In court Thursday, his attorney brought up a learning disability they say may have affected his judgment that afternoon. They also brought forth a character witness, which was a letter from Humbert’s mother, who was not present in the courtroom.
The prosecution kept pushing back. They pointed out Humbert has two associate degrees, which they said show he’s capable of understanding. They also resurfaced a previous fact that shows Humbert was online searching for accidents in the area, within an hour of the hit-and-run.
Prosecutors say they don’t believe Humbert would’ve come forward at all if it weren’t for detectives tracking him down.
They emphasized the case wasn’t about intent — but about what happened after the crash. They also mentioned his two prior speeding tickets.
Attorneys for Humbert also mentioned he wears glasses, suggesting possible visual limitations, but prosecutors noted that Humbert had a valid driver’s license, which requires passing a vision test
Forrest’s grandmother, Cindy Lutz, told WAVY this entire process has reopened wounds, and she’s heartbroken that Humbert still hasn’t apologized.
“I would have liked to have heard him say I’m sorry for destroying your family. I’m sorry for taking your grandbaby from you. The child you’ve raised since he was six weeks old. I’m sorry,” said Cindy Lutz.
In the end, the judge didn’t budge. The 5-year sentence stands. When that ruling was read out loud, you could hear a sigh of relief from Forrest’s family.
“I don’t think there is any punishment in the world that would make up for what we lost. But under the laws, I think it’s a very strong sentence and it sends a strong message,” said Lutz.
Now, Lutz says she wants to turn her grief into advocacy. Through her fight, she hopes Forrest’s memory lives on — especially in the life of his little brother, Jackson.
