The son of former Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Mark Taylor pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence. In a 2005 accident in Charleston that killed his best friend. The judge sentenced 23-year-old Fulton Fletcher Taylor to three years in prison. He is eligible for parole after one year but, he must still serve five years probation. He must pay a 15-thousand dollar fine.

The families would not comment after the trial, but many of them wiped away tears as the walked away.

Fletcher Taylor and Joseph Gennert were best friends and their families shared a bench in court Monday to show support for each other. In august of 2005 the two went out for drinks downtown and racked up a nearly $200 tab. About an hour later, Taylor lost control of his car on I-26 and Gennert was ejected from the car and died. According to the prosecutor Taylor had a blood alcohol level of .25 and said Gennert’s was about the same.

During the proceedings Taylor testified that since the accident he underwent substance abuse counseling and now leads a sober life. He and several former employers testified that Fletcher worked two jobs in Florida during his counseling.

The victim’s mother also spoke and asked the judge to spare Taylor’s imprisonment and not make this a duo tragedy, but the charged carried a minimum of a one year sentence.

“Joe was a great friend,” Fletcher Taylor told the court. “I will always remember what I did to bring about his death. I've used the accident as a source of motivation to make big changes in my life. Right after the accident I underwent treatment to learn the importance of leading a sober and purposeful life.”

The department of motor vehicles will suspend Taylor’s license for three years after serving in jail. Taylor has ten days to appeal the sentence.