'You Took A Motor Vehicle And Turned It Into An Instrument Of Death'
JOLIET —The Kankakee judge assigned to sentence former Will County Public Defender's Office investigator Maria Aiello on Tuesday afternoon informed the gallery seated in the Will County Courthouse that Aiello had shown the most remorse he had seen from someone in connection with any of the criminal cases he's handled.
In the end, the judge sentenced the 49-year-old former Joliet resident to eight years at the Illinois Department of Corrections for ending the life of Joliet doctor Ednalice Pagan-Romney by
"You're about as remorseful as anyone I've ever seen in a criminal courtroom," the white-haired judge told Aiello. "You also impacted the patients of Ednalice. You took a motor vehicle and turned it into an instrument of death."
Aiello then interrupted the judge, by blurting out, "I will live with this the rest of my life, your honor."
The judge also noted that Aiello hopes to become a substance abuse counselor after her sentence is through. "And I hope you're able to do that, to help. What you did that day was beyond terrible."
Aiello was sentenced on Tuesday as part of a plea bargain with the Will County State's Attorney's Office. Eight other criminal charges were dropped under the agreement. Aiello was represented by Joliet criminal defense lawyer Daniel Walsh.
Walsh told the judge that based upon Illinois sentencing guidelines, he did not believe his client would receive a sentence of probation for her crime.
Throughout much of Tuesday's plea and sentencing hearing, Aiello sobbed as she addressed the courtroom, including the fatality victim's husband and his sister by giving them her deepest apologies. "I accept responsibility for what I did," Aiello told the courtroom. "And I will live with this the rest of my life ... And I just apologize from the bottom of my heart and I know it won't bring Ednalice back."
Alexandra Molesky was the Assistant State's Attorney at Will County State's Attorney's Office who argued for a 10-year prison sentence for the defendant. Molesky reminded the judge that Aiello was a long-time employee of the Will County judicial system, having worked six years as an investigator for the public defender's office and a few years as a language interpreter before that.
"She knew better," Molesky told the visiting judge from Kankakee.
Molesky argued that a long prison sentence was necessary given the seriousness of Aiello's crime, how she drove through the red light at Larkin Avenue and Glenwood and was traveling about 110 mph leading up to the fiery crash. Aiello crashed into the back of the victim's car as Dr. Pagan-Romney was stopped at the red light at Glenwood and Springfield Avenue.
The crash engulfed the Joliet psychotherapist's car in flames, and her body was later removed from the wreckage. The Will County prosecutor reminded the judge that Aiello's crime endangered the lives of the Joliet community, and it happened right in front of the Joliet West High School campus where the posted speed limit is 30 mph along Glenwood, Molesky reminded the judge.
The 2022 fatality has created "endless sorrow" for the late doctor's family, but also all of the people who worked with her and went to her for counseling services.
The judge also heard victim impact statements delivered in court by the victim's husband as well as his sister. They shared the heartache and heartbreak their families have endured since the unexpected loss from three years and one month ago.
The 50-year-old Aurora resident who died in Joliet was survived by her husband of 27 years, Jorge I. Seda Rivera, her two children Adriana and Javier and her mother Renee Romney.
"She connected with everyone," her husband told the judge. "I lost my soulmate of 29 years and six months."
The couple had two children "who loved their mom." Breaking the news of their mother's untimely death was the second-worst experience, her husband said. The worst experience was "being not able to see her because of the condition of her body," he remarked.
The victim's sister-in-law, Mayra Seda Rivera, told the courtroom how
As for Aiello, "I really hope you and your loved ones find peace," she exclaimed. "I struggle everyday because I don't want to judge or place blame."
Ednalice's sister-in-law told Aiello that Aiello's decision to drive under the influence of numerous drugs: PCP, cocaine, marijuana and opioids "was maybe a cry for help. I don't know. My family lost Ednalice because of it."
The sister-in-law also referenced a Bible passage, from Jeremiah 29:11 as she told the sentencing judge, "I really hope I can receive an explanation from the Lord how this situation today will give me hope. I will forever miss my sister-in-law."
As for Aiello's sentencing, the judge noted that her eight-year prison term at the Illinois Department of Corrections must be served at 85 percent. However, she receives credit for spending 422 days in the Will County Jail in 2022 and 2023 plus the 551 days she spent on home confinement since Judge Dickinson ordered her release under the Illinois SAFE-T-Act.
Court officials later told Joliet Patch that Aiello will likely serve roughly four more years in prison in connection for her crime.
"Defendant is ordered remanded to custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections," the judge declared. As Aiello stood up from the defense table and put her hands behind her back, the sheriff's deputies spent the next few minutes placing their handcuffs on Aiello.
"I love you guys," Aiello told her supporters who sat in the courtroom gallery. "I'm sorry."
