LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man charged in the death of a Louisville high school senior in 2021 was sentenced Monday to more than 24 years in prison.

Michael Dewitt pleaded guilty in October 2024 to carjacking resulting in death. On March 1, 2021, Madelynn Troutt, a senior at Butler High School, was killed in a crash after Dewitt crossed into the wrong lane on Dixie Highway in a stolen pickup truck. 

She died upon arrival at UofL Hospital.

Troutt's mother and one of her brothers spoke at Monday's sentencing hearing in federal court, speaking about how the loss of their daughter and sister has impacted their family.

Dewitt also spoke in court, apologizing to the family. Dewitt said he was "truly sorry" and said he has a "debt to society." 

"I have to say, after four years, it's something I — I wasn't expecting to hear," Marcie Troutt said. "But I'm glad I heard it, and I hope that he meant what he said.... and I hope that he does so my daughter's death isn't in vain, that he turns his life around." 

Marcie Troutt said he wants to believe his apology is sincere. 

"I want to. I do," she said. "I think my faith in God has helped me a whole lot through this process. So yes, I want to say I do believe that he is sorry."

Judge David J. Hale accepted the plea deal, and, with credit for time served, Dewitt will spend more than 20 years in prison.

Marcie Troutt said there was a sense of peace walking out of the courthouse Monday. 

"We're ready to truly put Madelynn at rest and so that our family can truly heal," she said. "Because every court appearance, we just lived it over and over again. So I'd have to say relief is the biggest, the biggest (emotion)." 

Dewitt still has a murder charge pending in state court, for which his next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28. He was charged with murder, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants and failure to stop and render aid in the death of Troutt, among other charges.

The police citation said Dewitt, 27 at the time, was driving a stolen pickup truck northbound on Dixie Highway, near St. Andrews Church Road, when he crossed into the southbound lanes and hit another vehicle head-on. Dewitt had a high level of amphetamines and benzodiazepines in his system, according to a police toxicology report. 

Madelynn Troutt

Madelynn Troutt

Troutt was driving the car that was hit. 

After the initial crash, Dewitt hit a pole and attempted to flee the scene, according to police. He was "detained by bystanders momentarily" until Louisville Metro Police officers responded to the scene and took him into custody. 

At the time of the crash, Dewitt was out on a $5,000 bond. Just a week prior, he was charged with receiving stolen property after the Shively Police Department said he was found near a stolen truck with his belongings inside. According to court documents, he injured an officer while he was trying to get away from police.

Dewitt was arrested Feb. 22, but, by Feb. 24, had been released from jail after the Louisville chapter of the Bail Project posted his $5,000 bond. The Bail Project provides bond assistance to those who can't afford it as a challenge to a system the organization says criminalizes race and poverty. Troutt's family filed a lawsuit against The Bail Project, which was later dismissed. Members of the Bail Project said they posted Dewitt's bond after identifying that he had a drug addiction and he agreed to seek rehabilitation treatment at Centerstone. 

Earlier this year, the Kentucky legislature passed House Bill 5, a sweeping anti-crime bill that, among many other things, stops charitable bail organizations from posting bail of $5,000 or more. "Madelynn's Law," as it was called, went into effect in July.

Troutt's family has created a memorial scholarship at Bellarmine University in her name for future students. Before the crash, Madelynn had already been accepted to Bellarmine and planned to study nursing. They also created an annual golf scramble in her name to raise funds for the scholarship.

Most recently, the Troutt family has started the Live Like Madelynn Foundation, working to help others and spread kindness.

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