Four months after a jury convicted Martin Heidgen of murdering two people in a drunk-driving crash, a judge sentenced him during an emotional hearing Wednesday.

Heidgen, 25, was sentenced to 18 years to life for killing 62-year-old limo driver Stanley Rabinowitz and 7-year-old Katie Flynn. Heidgen collided head-on with the limo while driving the wrong way on the Meadowbrook Parkway in July 2005. Eight of the victims' relatives, some of whom were in the limousine at the time of the accident, took the stand one-by-one and told Heidgen of all the hurt and devastation he has caused.

Each family member called for the maximum sentence of 25 years to life. Flynn's father stormed out after the judge announced the lighter-than-expected sentence. The judge says he gave a lighter sentence due to Heidgen's lack of criminal history.

However, experts say the murder conviction still represents a substantial victory for prosecutors and drunk driving awareness advocates who had hoped to stiffen penalties in cases of DWI-related deaths. Heidgen's lawyers say they plan to appeal the guilty verdict.

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