Matthew Cordle confessed in an online video to killing a Navy veteran when he drove while under the influence, CBS News reported Friday.
Matthew Cordle said that he hit and killed 61-year-old Vincent Canzani on June 22 but has kept silent about the incident until now.
"I killed a man," Cordle said on the promotional video for non-profit web start up 'Because I Said I Would' which advocates the use of 'promise cards' individuals use inn reminding themselves of their commitments.
"My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22nd, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani," he continued. "This video will act as my confession."
Cordle then described what lead to the accident that killed the Navy veteran of suburban Columbus three months ago. He admitted that he "made a mistake" when he decided to drive his truck home despite "drinking really heavily."
At the beginning of the video, Cordle's face is blurred while describing the depression he was struggling from back then that lead to long hours of drinking "from bar to bar" with his friends the night of the accident.
However, as he began to reveal his identity and the name of the man he has killed his visage slowly clears up, getting rid of the blurred pixels on the video.
"When I get charged I'll plead guilty and take full responsibility for everything I've done to Vincent and his family," Cordle said, adding that by pouring out his emotions and thoughts on the public video, prosecutors may have "everything they need to put me away for a very long time."
Matthew Cordle added that though he may have been able to "get off" or "get a reduced sentence," he does not want to "dishonor Vincent's memory by lying about what happened."
Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien said on Thursday that Cordle was a suspect in the incident but he had not been charged, adding the 22-year-old had tested positive for alcohol and negative on drugs during the investigation.
O'Brien said that he has seen the promotional video on Wednesday and has decided to download it and keep it as evidence. He also mentioned that he will be asking the jury to indict Matthew for aggravated vehicular homicide with an alcohol specification, which carries a maximum of eight years imprisonment charge upon conviction.
The prosecutor told CBS affiliate WBNS that the he has not seen any confession similar to this one before and he even regarded it "compelling."
Meanwhile, Matthew Cordle's lawyer, George Breitmayer III, said that the promotional video "is a strong testament" to Matthew's character.
Canzani reportedly died at the scene after his jeep was struck on Interstate 670.
His obituary stated that he served as a missile technician for a submarine from 1980 to 1986.
After leaving the military, Canzani flourished as "a gifted photographer."
Canzani's ex-wife, Cheryl Olcott, came out today and told MailOnline, "I applaud Matt for stepping up to the plate. He's taken full responsibility. He is an honest man who has spoken the truth. It's unfortunate that the whole cycle of events has happened this way. I pray for Matthew Cordle."
When she was asked if she would have wanted Cordle to have admitted the crime earlier, she answered, "You can't change what's happened, that's all I know. I'm not a judge. There's only one judge and that's the big guy upstairs. Matthew is a good man. I commend him for that."
Amid the brave confession, Cordle ended his message with an inspirational wake-up call.
"I can't bring Mr. Canzani back, and I can't erase what I've done, but you can still be saved. Your victims can still be saved. So, please," Cordle said. "Make the promise to never drink and drive."
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