CHICKASHA, OK -- Earlier this year John and Cheryl Kyle were charged with second degree manslaughter and plead guilty. Tuesday they learned their punishment. Although it was almost the maximum time allowed under state law, it was a sentence that was disappointing to some.
"People that do that type of thing, they deserve a lot more than these people got," Kaitlyn Mounce's mother Shari Mounce said.
Kaitlyn Mounce will forever be Keith and Shari Mounce's 15-year-old daughter, her young life tragically frozen in time.
John and Cheryl Kyle will serve about half that; 9 years with 7 behind bars and 2 suspended.
Kaitlyn's parents say the time the couple got isn't enough.
The Kyle's both admitted to buying vodka for several teens who were at a party in their Tuttle home.
"And then want to walk away with a few years when there's a death involved," Keith Mounce said.
"It should be manslaughter, first degree manslaughter," Shari Mounce said.
Under Oklahoma law, a person can be charged with first-degree murder if he or she unlawfully distributes or dispenses a controlled dangerous substances; alcohol is not listed in the statute.
Kaitlyn's family is now pushing for change and hoping for stricter social host laws in our state.
"In this case, they gave alcohol to kids and another kid drove and his driving caused the death of Kaitlyn Mounce," Grady County District Attorney Bret Burns said.
The couple told investigators one of the teens gave them $100 to buy drinks; Cheryl Kyle even admitted to using a bong to smoke marijuana in their presence.
"So you bought the liquor?" and investigator asked. "Yes. We did," Cheryl Kyle said. "Both of us did," John Kyle said. "I just thought we'd kind of be cool parents, and it didn't turn out that way. We figured if they partied here, at least they would be safe."
"Their whole family is completely ripped apart now," Defense attorney Chris Sloan said. "So, now instead of having two or three families hurt, we've got a fourth one to add to the fire. It just wasn't something they intended to happen."
"They wanted to be cool parents," Burns said. "Well, cool parents caused the death of somebody."
The Kyle's will also have to pay about $25 thousand in restitution to Kaitlyn's family.
As far as the sentences, the Kyle's attorney says he plans to appeal that decision.
"People that do that type of thing, they deserve a lot more than these people got," Kaitlyn Mounce's mother Shari Mounce said.
Kaitlyn Mounce will forever be Keith and Shari Mounce's 15-year-old daughter, her young life tragically frozen in time.
John and Cheryl Kyle will serve about half that; 9 years with 7 behind bars and 2 suspended.
Kaitlyn's parents say the time the couple got isn't enough.
The Kyle's both admitted to buying vodka for several teens who were at a party in their Tuttle home.
"And then want to walk away with a few years when there's a death involved," Keith Mounce said.
"It should be manslaughter, first degree manslaughter," Shari Mounce said.
Under Oklahoma law, a person can be charged with first-degree murder if he or she unlawfully distributes or dispenses a controlled dangerous substances; alcohol is not listed in the statute.
Kaitlyn's family is now pushing for change and hoping for stricter social host laws in our state.
"In this case, they gave alcohol to kids and another kid drove and his driving caused the death of Kaitlyn Mounce," Grady County District Attorney Bret Burns said.
The couple told investigators one of the teens gave them $100 to buy drinks; Cheryl Kyle even admitted to using a bong to smoke marijuana in their presence.
"So you bought the liquor?" and investigator asked. "Yes. We did," Cheryl Kyle said. "Both of us did," John Kyle said. "I just thought we'd kind of be cool parents, and it didn't turn out that way. We figured if they partied here, at least they would be safe."
"Their whole family is completely ripped apart now," Defense attorney Chris Sloan said. "So, now instead of having two or three families hurt, we've got a fourth one to add to the fire. It just wasn't something they intended to happen."
"They wanted to be cool parents," Burns said. "Well, cool parents caused the death of somebody."
The Kyle's will also have to pay about $25 thousand in restitution to Kaitlyn's family.
As far as the sentences, the Kyle's attorney says he plans to appeal that decision.
