It appears the penalties are stiffer in your region. I don't agree with the one incident, one count comment made by the judge. That might be the same here too.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
CT RELATIVE TO CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
1 Section 30A. A person is guilty of criminally negligent homicide when, with criminal negligence, he causes the death of another person. For purposes of this section, "criminal negligence" is the failure to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that is of such nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would observe under the circumstances. Whoever is guilty of criminally negligent homicide shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2½ years and a fine of not more than $10,000.00.
This Document