55 years for drunken, vehicular murder. I'm not saying the crime should go unpunished, but come the fuck on, is this a person who needs to be locked up on the state's dime for five decades or is it someone that needs their license yanked in a permanent way? I'll also point out that other states let you get away with killing up to four people with just probation ... provided you're young, rich, and white enough.
Edited By Malcolm on 1402680417
this is cheaper than perma-revokation ... how?
While I agree that punishments are all over the map based on region, money, the judge's bleeding or iron heart, competency of your lawyer, etc. that woman is not going to get much sympathy.
53 years old, "a long history of drug related crimes", drunk driving, tried to flee the scene with the victim dying on her windshield, tried to shake him off her car...
Fuck her.
She's a VERY different type of person from a teenager doing drunken, moronic teenage things.
53 years old, "a long history of drug related crimes", drunk driving, tried to flee the scene with the victim dying on her windshield, tried to shake him off her car...
Fuck her.
She's a VERY different type of person from a teenager doing drunken, moronic teenage things.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
What he saidLeisher wrote:53 years old, "a long history of drug related crimes", drunk driving, tried to flee the scene with the victim dying on her windshield, tried to shake him off her car...
Fuck her.
She's a VERY different type of person from a teenager doing drunken, moronic teenage things.
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
She also had a "relatively unbroken crime history" dating back 34 years, he said.
I don't see "driving without a license" in her indictment. That means she probably had a valid one. But hey, at least it's not Texas, where they wait until your 9th DUI to do something. My point is there are potentially people in Cali that got convicted for murdering law enforcement officers that potentially got less time than this.
Offense ... Mandatory sentencing
Second degree murder ... 15 years to life
Second degree murder using a firearm from a motor vehicle ... 20 years to life
Second degree murder by an offender previously convicted of murder (First or Second Degree) ... 15 years to life or life without parole
Second degree murder of a law enforcement officer ... 25 years to life
First degree murder ... 25 years to life
First degree murder constituting a hate crime or of an operator or driver ... Life without parole
First degree murder with special circumstance ... Death penalty or life without parole
For comparison, first degree murder in DC nets you 60 years maximum.
Edited By Malcolm on 1402684750
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Cakedaddy wrote:She totally seems like the type of person that would not do something, like drive, if you told her she couldn't. That would totally work.
Fine. Shove her in a mental asylum, then. Prison is where violent offenders need to go. "Wanting to be intoxicated all the time" doesn't fall under that category.
EDIT: Additionally, yank her license and the ability to purchase an automobile (which last I checked was difficult without a license). Unless she steals someone's car keys or learns how to hot wire something, she's done.
Edited By Malcolm on 1402684993
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
For comparison, first degree murder in DC nets you 60 years maximum.
I totally agree with you on that point, and have already said so. Punishments are inconsistent, but honestly, isn't that up to the states, and thus, they will be inconsistent?
Also, keep in mind that you're not taking into account her history and the facts of the case. The article you cited specifically says the judge did. This wasn't a first time offender who made a mistake, and stopped immediately to face the music for said mistake. The law does state the judge can take such things into account to reduce or increase a sentence.
While I do agree about keeping non-violent offenders out of prison with violent offenders I'm not sure this woman qualifies. She knew this man was on her windshield and was trying to swerve to throw him off while fleeing from the scene. That's not exactly non-violent.
And you can't throw her in a mental home because now those workers are dealing with assholes like her, and will lose time to help people who aren't there because of crimes they committed.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Drunk drivers ALWAYS find a way to keep driving. Breathalyzer on the ignition? Have your sober friend blow it. Can't buy a car? Have your friend buy one or borrow theirs. Sure, that lady might have a hard time buying a new Nissan from the dealer. But I doubt that's where she's shopping.
Taking her license and calling it done is just ridiculous and insulting to the victim/family.
Taking her license and calling it done is just ridiculous and insulting to the victim/family.
Toss her in jail for 20 or whatever reckless vehicular manslaughter nets. With the current sentence, you may as well call it life or just outright kill her.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Drunk drivers ALWAYS find a way to keep driving.
As someone who knows a couple folks who got 4 DUIs and have ceased such behaviour, I can safely say, yes, there are at least some people who can stop. One stopped driving, one stopped drinking. But I'll let you generalize all you want because you know everyone in the world. I'll call her beyond help and say she deserves to be committed somewhere and treated after a couple decades in jail. Her sentence was excessive.
Edited By Malcolm on 1402722968
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
But I'll let you generalize all you want because you know everyone in the world.
Hello pot? It's kettle.
I mean seriously Malcolm, that's ridiculous.
Her sentence was excessive.
That's your opinion.
What kind of sentence do you think she should have received? Remember, a history of criminal behavior, third strike (third felony), driving drunk, hit someone, instead of offering aid, drove off with him on her car, still wouldn't stop, and tried to shake him off.
Actually, first explain to me why you think she's a non-violent offender. Then tell me how long a 53 year old needs to be punished before they figure out to stop being an asshole like your friends did.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell