How to get a fair sentencing in the drunk driving accident that killed brother and childhood friend?
Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at
1:00 am
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BBallisLife3352764 asked:
About a year and a half ago, my brother and a childhood friend were killed in a drunk driving accident by a man whose blood alcohol level was .222. Almost 3 times the legal limit, he also hurt two other people that were in the car with my brother and friend. Well, this man who killed them, has a connection in the courthouse where this happened because his girlfriends step dad is the prosecutor or something, and they appointed the attourney general to be the prosecutor, but we think his connection is still working for him because the probation and parole lady, which we believe must know him because she called and spoke to me and my mother and asked how we felt about it, and she was very forgiving of him, and especially nice about his girlfriend. Also the probation and parole lady recommended 6-8 years? ***? Anyways, we have until tuesday for the actual sentencing and I was just wondering if there was anything we could do to bring some heat on this. This was a white man who killed my brother and friend who were black, and we know if it was the other way around my brother friend would be up the river by now! He started out pleading not guilty, and had absolutely no remorse, and then he changed lawyers, partially because I think that other lawyer said “youre screwed” and now hes pleading guilty and he tried to say sorry after wards. Well were not going for this. We’re going to contact the NAACP, and were trying to think of anyone else we can contact. Hes looking at 44 years altogether and she recommends 6-8? Wow…gotta be atleast 20 years, I mean come on now. Any body have any other ideas…I thought about calling some local news channels.
I know that, however, does that mean he shouldnt spend a significant time in prison, his life should atleast be delayed a little, thrown off, my brother and friends lives are over for good. He should atleast have to put his on hold to go to prison.
I guess you guys are right about the race thing, but I feel like things are just skewed in his favor because it happened where he lives and he has connections there. Also, I get to write a victim impact statement, and I plan to show some pictures of me and my brother, and my friend, and my friend also had 2 kids, so I plan to speak on their behalf also, Im so scared hes gonna walk out on this.
Also who would be going after in the civil suit? The court?
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About a year and a half ago, my brother and a childhood friend were killed in a drunk driving accident by a man whose blood alcohol level was .222. Almost 3 times the legal limit, he also hurt two other people that were in the car with my brother and friend. Well, this man who killed them, has a connection in the courthouse where this happened because his girlfriends step dad is the prosecutor or something, and they appointed the attourney general to be the prosecutor, but we think his connection is still working for him because the probation and parole lady, which we believe must know him because she called and spoke to me and my mother and asked how we felt about it, and she was very forgiving of him, and especially nice about his girlfriend. Also the probation and parole lady recommended 6-8 years? ***? Anyways, we have until tuesday for the actual sentencing and I was just wondering if there was anything we could do to bring some heat on this. This was a white man who killed my brother and friend who were black, and we know if it was the other way around my brother friend would be up the river by now! He started out pleading not guilty, and had absolutely no remorse, and then he changed lawyers, partially because I think that other lawyer said “youre screwed” and now hes pleading guilty and he tried to say sorry after wards. Well were not going for this. We’re going to contact the NAACP, and were trying to think of anyone else we can contact. Hes looking at 44 years altogether and she recommends 6-8? Wow…gotta be atleast 20 years, I mean come on now. Any body have any other ideas…I thought about calling some local news channels.
I know that, however, does that mean he shouldnt spend a significant time in prison, his life should atleast be delayed a little, thrown off, my brother and friends lives are over for good. He should atleast have to put his on hold to go to prison.
I guess you guys are right about the race thing, but I feel like things are just skewed in his favor because it happened where he lives and he has connections there. Also, I get to write a victim impact statement, and I plan to show some pictures of me and my brother, and my friend, and my friend also had 2 kids, so I plan to speak on their behalf also, Im so scared hes gonna walk out on this.
Also who would be going after in the civil suit? The court?
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Make sure you’re pursuing this for the right reasons.
No matter how long this man spends in prison, your loved ones will still be dead.
Revenge is a bitter pill often cloaked in what people would call justice.
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I would give him ‘ life + one day. And by the way, skin color shouldn’t be an issue here. The fact that you even mentioned it disturbs me. Would it have been any better had he been black ?
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The prosecutor could have called for a change of venue before the trial, but it’s a little late now. At this point probably all you can do is file a civil suit.
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The best you can do is make a victim impact statement to the court. Request that you are allowed to do this. Write a well worded, meaningful, heartfelt statement.
This is to impact on the judge and prosecution how your life has been affected by this individuals actions. And to ask for a tough sentence because of the gravity of pain and suffering caused.
Also, don’t play the race card. Saying he is getting off because he is white is ******. You can be better than that.
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Call Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. Seriously. If nothing esle they will bring media attention to your case. 6-8 years is probably the minimum sentence, and I bet it will be concurrent. With half the courthouse in collusion and ready to give him practically a pass I say yes, call the media. It’s probably not his first offense either, that’s why he’s doing any time at all.
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You know it’s still racism if it’s black against white! I doubt that skin color will be an issue in the sentencing of a drunk driver. There are certain guidelines that the judge must follow, regardless of who he knows. The most that you can do is tell the judge your opinion and hope that that influences him.
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If I were you, I would enlist as much help from the media in publicizing this as possible. Contact tv stations, newspapers, local media websites, MADD, etc. You should be emphasizing the “good ole boy” contacts in the prosecutors office. I agree with you. The guy deserves at least twenty years. Even then, he’s getting a “two-for-one deal” (sorry, not trying to be crass, you know what I mean….)
I agree with the other posters about not playing the race card. That isn’t going to help your cause and you don’t need to do it. Do not call Al and Jesse….that won’t help either. Make sure you write the very best victim impact statement that you are capable of. Get help if need be. Good luck to you and I hope you get justice.
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After the sentencing, if you’re not happy with the result, appeal the decision and then look to the media for help. Don’t say anything concerning race to the media – people will be able to draw their own conclusions well enough. Good luck – I hope you get the justice that you – and he – deserves.