JUDGE JAILS DUI

JUDGE JAILS DUI
MEMPHIS, TN: A drunken driver on his way to a weekend in jail for having just been convicted of DUI struck and killed a pregnant woman and her daughter. This happened in 1997 but it was not until May 1999 that he was sentenced to 49 years for the double killing. His blood alcohol was many times the legal limit and his license had already been revoked. He had two prior drunken driving convictions.

This DUI driver apparently has no idea of the terrible thing he did. At his sentencing he said that he is a good driver; very cautious and pays attention to everything around him. The judge said that this drunk had utter contempt for society, showed no remorse, was every parent’s nightmare, and would start drinking and driving again when he had served his time.

Did the Judge mean he would repeat after 49 years of prison time? No, he meant in 15 years because the unfair (to society) Tennessee law called for release after 30% of the sentenced has been completed. The victims father and grandfather blamed the Tennessee legal system for failing to deal effectively with this drunk many years earlier.

And therein lies our National problem; a too lenient system that waits until the drunks severely hurt innocent persons before they are put away for more than a weekend. It won’t change until you and I demand better protection by our Legislators and Judges. With this column I am protesting this - what will you do to help get better justice?GHD189 all rights reserved