The family of Marie Conley, the Dorchester crossing guard killed in the line of duty, today implored a Superior Court judge not to impose jail time for the elderly driver who admitted to striking her.

ANIS CAZEAU (D.O.B. 1/15/22) of Mattapan today pleaded guilty to the crime of motor vehicle homicide for driving into the 58-year-old woman on Oct. 21, 2008, causing injuries that claimed her life eight days later.

Judge John Cratsley sentenced Cazeau to a term of three years probation on the condition that he neither drive nor seek to have his driver’s license reinstated. The sentence was recommended by Assistant District Attorney John Lacey after prosecutors weighed the aggravating and mitigating circumstances surrounding the case and had extensive conversations with the victim’s family.

“If I could bring her back, I would,” Cazeau told Cratsley upon changing his plea.

Joe Finn, Conley’s brother, addressed the court prior to sentencing to express his family’s wish that Cazeau not receive jail time but also not be allowed to drive.

“Our family is not seeking vengeance or retribution from Mr. Cazeau,” Finn said from a podium in courtroom 808 of Suffolk Superior Court. “This was an accident and we forgive him. We ask the court to show him leniency and that he serve no prison time. We would be satisfied if his driver’s license was permanently revoked. Your honor, I’m sure this is what Marie would want.”

At the same time, Finn said, “We do believe this tragic accident could have been avoided …. We believe there is a need to change the law in Massachusetts so that people are re-tested at some point to make sure they are fit to operate a motor vehicle. For those who think this is unreasonable, I would venture to say they have never experienced the pain and suffering that occurs when a tragedy like this happens.”

Cratsley called Conley’s family “a group of dedicated public servants – including your sister.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, Lacey would have proven that Cazeau was behind the wheel of his Nissan Maxima shortly before 9:00 that bright, clear morning. At the same time, Conley was assisting schoolchildren as they crossed the intersection of Winter and Parish streets.

Wearing a reflective yellow jacket, Conley entered the crosswalk so that a 10-year-old boy could walk to the Mather School. She extended her arm over her head to stop traffic and waved the boy ahead.

Evidence would have shown that Conley, in the last seconds of her conscious life, realized Cazeau’s vehicle was not slowing down as it turned from Adams Street onto Winter Street. She yelled at the boy to stop – saving the child’s life, investigators believe.

Cazeau’s vehicle struck Conley at about 27 mph, a speed below the posted limit but enough to cause life-threatening head trauma. Conley died of her injuries at the Boston Medical Center on Oct. 29.

Cazeau was represented by attorney Robert Zanello.