Cumming teen gets year in Starbucks manslaughter case

CLAYTON, Mo. — As Aaron Poisson stood to face his punishment on Thursday, the Georgia teenager turned away from the judge and looked directly at relatives of Roger Kreutz, the man he accidentally killed after stealing a tip jar at a suburban St. Louis Starbucks.

His shaggy hair in his eyes, the 19-year-old’s voice began to break.

“I would just like to say I’m truly and deeply sorry for everything that’s gone on,” Poisson said. “You guys are in my thoughts and prayers always. I’m really sorry.”

Last March, Poisson, of Cumming, Ga., and his then-girlfriend stopped by a Starbucks, snatched a tip jar filled with about $5 and ran out. Kreutz, a 54-year-old businessman who frequented the shop, ran out to stop them.

As Poisson tried to flee, his car door struck Kreutz and knocked him to the ground. He died two days later — exactly a year ago.

Poisson pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter, stealing and leaving the scene of an accident. He reached an agreement with prosecutors calling for the one-year sentence. Poisson’s attorney, William Margulis, said that with time served and other considerations, Poisson likely will serve about seven months.

Outside the courtroom, Chris Kreutz, Roger’s brother, said the family was content with the penalty.

“It’s over,” he said. “It’s time to move on.”

But during the hearing, Kreutz read a statement from his father, Edward, that indicated the older Kreutz thought the sentence was too light.

“Roger’s life was taken by a reckless and irresponsible person,” the letter stated, adding the actions “should not go unpunished.”

Poisson’s father, Gary Poisson, met with the Kreutz family after the hearing.

“I told them I really appreciated their graciousness and fair-mindedness,” he said.

He called his son’s crime “a fluke act. He didn’t mean to run a man down.”

Margulis said the fluke nature of the crime played a role in what he characterized as a “favorable” sentence.

“There were no aggravating circumstances,” Margulis said. “There was no intent to harm anybody. It was a spur of the moment decision to steal the tip jar, which led up to a tragic turn of events.”

Authorities said Poisson was in the St. Louis area searching for a job at the time of the crime. The young woman with him was not charged.

Kreutz was the co-owner of the Holiday Inn and Viking Conference Center, not far from the Starbucks, and was a regular and well-liked customer there. Video surveillance showed that he didn’t hesitate to chase after Poisson after seeing the tip money stolen.

Authorities said Kreutz and Poisson struggled at the door of Poisson’s Ford Taurus. Poisson put the car in reverse, and Kreutz was knocked to the pavement.

Poisson drove away, perhaps not knowing how badly Kreutz was injured. Police released the surveillance video to the public, and Poisson was arrested days later at the St. Louis home of a friend.