By John Howell
Circuit Judge Smith Murphey has sentenced Ira Joe Chapman, 234 MLK Drive, Batesville to 20 years’ imprisonment for the November, 2014 wreck that killed Lizzie Victoria Simmons.

Chapman, 57, pled guilty to DUI death as the driver of the vehicle that struck Simmons’ vehicle head-on on Highway 51 South near the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center. Chapman pled guilty. In addition to the usual conditions attached to a plea of guilty, Judge Murphey ordered Chapman to pay $6,186 to the Mississippi Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund and to cover court costs.

Chapman was also ordered to complete a long-term drug and alcohol program while in custody of the Mississippi Dept. of Corrections.