John Goodman. Photo: Lannis Waters/AP

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by Wellington polo millionaire John Goodman, who is serving a 16-year sentence for drunken-driving manslaughter in the drowning of a motorist whose Hyundai was shoved into a canal by Goodman's Bentley.

The high court Monday rejected a petition seeking review of his conviction and sentence. All told, three appellate courts have either rejected his appeals or refused to hear them.

Goodman challenged a blood-alcohol test without a warrant. The blood test from a sample taken three hours after the nighttime collision measured 0.177, or more than twice the legal limit. He maintained he started drinking in a polo player's barn after the crash in 2010.

He also claimed a due process violation, insisting he couldn't be convicted of failing to render aid to Scott Wilson because he didn't realize anyone had been injured.

On those issues, the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled the blood draw was covered by an exception for exigent circumstances, and state law on rendering aid required a driver “knew or should have known of the crash,” not an injury.

The attorney general's office did not respond to Goodman's Supreme Court petition or a request for comment.

Miami attorney Paul Morris, one of Goodman's attorneys, said Tuesday that the door remains open for a return to state court.

“Certain issues can be raised in the trial court after the direct appellate process is concluded, and we're looking into whether we have those issues,” he said. “We're looking into it.”

Goodman's case has been well-traveled in the court system. He was accused of running a stop sign and hitting Wilson's car. Goodman's air bags deployed, and he suffered back and head injuries, a broken wrist and a fractured chest.

He told investigators his cell phone battery was dead and called for help nearly an hour later. Two other motorists had called 911 by that time.

Goldman was initially convicted in 2012 but won a retrial in 2013 due to jury misconduct. He was convicted again in 2014 and received the same sentence. The Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed his conviction in 2017, and the Florida Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal.

Much was made by Goodman's attorneys about the release and repair of his Bentley based on his claim that the vehicle malfunctioned, which meant it was unavailable for inspection and tests before his retrial. The Fourth DCA rejected that claim. 

Goodman, 55, is a Houston native and heir to a family appliance and air conditioning business, Goodman Global Holding Inc. Two years after his father died, Goodman bought the Amana brand from Raytheon and sold its microwave and appliance divisions to Maytag. He sold the company for $1.43 billion in 2004.

He is detained at the Wakulla Correctional Institution and is set for release in 2029.

 

Related stories:

High-Profile Drunken-Driving Case Spurs Battle Over Blood Tests

16-Year Sentence Upheld for Wellington Millionaire in Drunken Crash

John Goodman: Polo Magnate Again Gets 16 Years for Manslaughter