Former football coach's appeal rejected

The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland has refused to overturn former Braden River High football coach Josh Hunter's 10-year prison sentence for a 2009 drunk driving accident that killed his best friend and fellow coach Doug Garrity.

Hunter, who has been out of jail on a $50,000 bond while his case was appealed, was charged with DUI manslaughter. Prosecutors claimed Hunter was behind the wheel of the fatal crash March 1, 2009 near Venice.

Hunter didn’t testify at his trial and his brother, James Hunter, went to jail for refusing to testify that his brother was the one behind the wheel.

The state appellate court upheld Circuit Court Judge Donna Berlin’s decision earlier this month.

Hunter may continue to remain free if his attorney decides to file for a rehearing.