"Bittersweet" sentence for woman who killed former Portland resident Marcus Difonzo

She was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, five years probation and 80 hours community service.

Ellen Smail, who now lives in Queensland, said she believed the sentence for her son's killer was too lenient, but she was relieved a request for home detention was denied.

She said she had hoped for a sentence of at least two years.

Ms Smail waited 228 days to speak in a US court via Zoom about the huge hole in her heart the loss of her son Marcus Difonzo left.

The 33-year-old, who grew up in Portland, was killed instantly in Michigan in the US in July last year when a 22-year-old drink driver smashed into his car.

Ms Smail bravely delivered a victim impact statement, telling the woman responsible about the beautiful soul who was the apple of his mother's eye. She told the judge she cannot sleep and has to take medication for the first time in her life to do so after his death.

Ms Smail said she bravely hung photos of her smiling son behind her and her daughter Jessie during the hearing.

The woman responsible for Marcus' death has fallen pregnant since the crash and requested home detention, which was denied by the judge.

She was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, five years probation and 80 hours community service.

Ms Smail said she believed the sentence was too lenient, but she was relieved the request for home detention was denied.

She said she had hoped for a sentence of at least two years.

MORE READS:

Ms Smail said she hopes the woman takes the time alone to reflect on what she did and the impact it had on so many people.

She said the only thing that got her through the past seven months was the promise she made to her son to ensure justice was served. "I did it for Marcus," she said.

"I kept saying to him 'son, whatever happens, I will know I did my best'."

Ms Smail said she had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she had received from Marcus' friends both in Australia and in the US.

Two of his managers from work and four colleagues were at the hearing, while Marcus' girlfriend Alyssa Wesler was also there.

She will also be forever grateful to the founder of a Michigan based advocacy group - Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"Stephanie, the founder has been so supportive," she said.

Ms Smail is still planning to hold a celebration of Marcus' life in Portland later this year.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast The Booletin and Beyond:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.