Closing Arguments To Be Made In Deadly Grand Lake Boat Crash

A Delaware County judge is expected to sentence a Tulsa man in the deaths of two people in a boating lake on Grand Lake in 2013.

Tuesday, December 30th 2014, 11:13 am

By: News On 6

Closing Arguments To Be Made In Deadly Grand Lake Boat Crash

A Delaware County judge is expected to sentence a Tulsa man today in the deaths of two people in a boating wreck on Grand Lake in 2013.

John Deselms pleaded in the deaths of University of Arkansas students Rachel Swetnam and Trey Varner. He's charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter and faces four years to life for each count.

It's been very emotional in the courtroom, which is standing room only. Both families took the stand and said their lives have been forever changed on that tragic day. Even though they forgive Deselms, they hope he gets a fair punishment and takes responsibility for their loved ones.

Deselms later took the stand and was very apologetic. He hugged the parents of the friends who were killed in May, 2013.

8/20/2014 Related Story: Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty For Deadly Grand Lake Boating Accident

Investigators said Deselms was driving drunk when his boat slammed into a parked house boat at the Arrowhead Marina on Grand Lake in May of 2013.

Lab results showed he had a blood alcohol content of .18, more than two times the legal limit, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.