Hernando: Widow has say after no contest plea in DUI case

Widow has say after no contest plea in DUI case

In court, she tells her husband's killer that she doesn't hate him, but she doesn't know if she can ever forgive him. "You did something that took him away, and that took away a lot of me.''

By JAMIE MALERNEE

In court, she tells her husband's killer that she doesn't hate him, but she doesn't know if she can ever forgive him. "You did something that took him away, and that took away a lot of me."

BROOKSVILLE -- Amanda Blake traveled hundreds of miles to confront her husband's killer on Monday.

As the two stood fewer than 5 feet apart, staring at each other in a Brooksville courtroom, Blake spoke through sobs.

"I don't have hatred in my heart for you," said Blake, who now lives in South Carolina, "but it's just not right. You're here. He's not. You did something that took him away, and that took away a lot of me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you . . . . I want you to know and never forget what you did -- and know that it hurts."

Walter Elsworth Aaskov III, 46, of Brooksville listened silently. His shoulders slumped as he clasped his hands in front of him.

Moments before, he had pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter and two counts of DUI with bodily harm. Prosecutors say he had been drinking on a February morning in 1999 when he lost control of his car on U.S. 41 a quarter mile north of Powell Road. His car struck head-on with a Buick in which Freddie Lee Blake, a Brooksville father of three, was a passenger. Blake, 30, was flown to the hospital and died. Both drivers were seriously injured.

Aaskov's blood alcohol level measured 0.163 at the time of the accident. That's double the legal limit.

Although Aaskov will not be formally sentenced until Aug. 6, Circuit Judge Richard Tombrink said he will be found guilty and receive more than 10 years in prison.

"All I can really say is that I am sorry," Aaskov said in a pained voice after hearing the widow's testimony. "I'm sorry for what you have been going through for the past few years and for your children."

Because Aaskov will not be formally sentenced until August, he was allowed to go free following the hearing. As Blake's widow remained sitting in the audience, Aaskov slowly made his way from the room, pausing several times to look back at her.

Mrs. Blake remained rigid, facing forward, refusing to turn to look at him as he left. When she heard the courtroom door click closed, she broke down once again.

- Discuss this and other issues in our Web-based discussion forum at www.sptimes.com/hernandoforum.