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Facing prison time, Pasco man apparently takes own life

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By TODD LESKANIC | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2009

Updated: 10/09/2009 03:38 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Michael Long's attorney became concerned when his client didn't show up for a sentencing hearing this morning.

Attorney Dennis Watson told Circuit Judge Michael Andrews that he had spoken to Long on Thursday night and had no idea why his client hadn't appeared. Watson also said Long had been depressed.

"I don't know why he's not here this morning," Watson said. "I hope it's just a mistake."

Long apparently hanged himself inside his apartment at 9238 Binnacle Drive. His body was discovered at 8:30 a.m., said Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Doll wouldn't say who discovered Long's body, except that they were "people who were going to take him to court."

Long's death remains under investigation.

Long, 47, pleaded guilty Sept. 25 to leaving the scene of an accident involving death and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury. He admitted to striking pedestrians Kimberly Stewart and Christopher Mosgaard as he drove north on U.S. 19 late on Feb. 13.

Mosgaard, 35, of Tarpon Springs, died at the scene. Stewart survived but her injuries left her unable to work or care for herself.

Long continued driving after striking Stewart and Mosgaard and didn't call authorities to report the crash until the following morning. Last month, Long testified that he didn't stop because he panicked. He also said he went home and blacked out and couldn't remember the crash.

Long said he came to the next day, saw that his car was damaged and decided to call the police. His 2000 Chevy sedan had damage to the front left corner and left side, according to an arrest affidavit. Debris found at the crash scene matched the vehicle damage.

Although Long didn't appear in court this morning, Andrews decided to go ahead with sentencing. Assistant State Attorney Chris Jensen asked him to sentence Long to five years in prison.

But Andrews said he wasn't inclined to believe Long's story and instead sentenced him to 20 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of probation. He also ordered Long to pay $66,760.55 in restitution to Stewart.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (813) 731-8098.

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