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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho Falls man has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for the fatal roadside beating of another man.
Tanner Cox, 23, was sentenced Tuesday for involuntary manslaughter in the death of 36-year-old Josh Olzak, The Post Register reported (http://bit.ly/1PCyU9s).
He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 civil penalty that will be split between Olzak's two children.
Cox and several other men in at least two cars chased Olzak and his friend across town on May 9. Police say Cox then punched Olzak, knocking him down. Olzak died days later from brain swelling.
At his sentencing, Cox apologized to Olzak's family and his own saying he never meant to hurt Olzak.
"I was arrogant . I am deeply sorry," he said. "If there is anything I can do for (the Olzak family) I will try to help them heal."
Olzak's wife and ex-wife spoke in court. Cox cried through their emotional testimony.
Cox will be credited the nearly nine months he has spent in jail. He will be eligible for parole in October 2017.
Bonneville County prosecutor Daniel Clark on Tuesday submitted a Facebook post and text messages Cox had written in which he boasted about a fight he had the night before punching Olzak. The evidence was not shown at the jury trial but was used as Clark argued for a four-to 10-year prison sentence.
Cox's attorney, James Archibald, argued that his client should be sent into a rehabilitative program at a minimum security prison. He read a letter from Olzak's mother that showed compassion for Cox.
Cox said he hoped his victim's family could one day forgive him.
"At the end of the day there was a loss of life," Cox said. "I just hope everyone in this courtroom doesn't give up on me."
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Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com
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