Townsend gets 30 days in jail

Orlando Sentinel ^ | March 29, 2006 | Amy C. Rippel

[andyk]

Ashley Townsend, a college student who ran a red light in 2004 and killed two girls as they crossed the street with their mother, has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and was booked into the Orange County Jail One of her attorneys, Bill Barnett, would not comment.Tuesday evening, records show. Court records show the 23-year-old woman was booked into jail about 6 p.m. Tuesday and the Florida Highway Patrol was the arresting agency.

<snip>

She was ordered to serve 30 days in the Orange County Jail without the chance of work release. After she is released from jail, she will then be on seven years' supervised probation with the Department of Corrections, which can be transferred to Leon County. She also must serve 500 hours of community service, completing 10 hours per month by speaking to young drivers about safe driving. Her drivers license was revoked for three years Witnesses and authorities said Townsend ran a red light at Goldenrod and Bates roads and struck Anjelica Velez, 5, and Victoria Velez, 2, while they were crossing the street with their mother on Oct. 27, 2004.

[darkangel82]

No, but if I take a human life, the state can now take mine.

[andyk]

FR's Old Testament Retributionists

Does that mean that you don't think that retribution should be one of the reasons for punishing criminals? Or, that it is one of the reasons, but you think 30 days jail is more than appropriate in this particular case?

[RHINO369]

Ok if you accidently kill someone can I kill you?

[RHINO369]

"Does that mean that you don't think that retribution should be one of the reasons for punishing criminals? Or, that it is one of the reasons, but you think 30 days jail is more than appropriate in this particular case?"

Why must you punish an accident? Like someone else said does Laura Bush deserve to be punished for running a stop sign and killing someone too?

[andyk]

Why must you punish an accident? Like someone else said does Laura Bush deserve to be punished for running a stop sign and killing someone too?

Wow, I'm sorry. I thought it was a simple, reasonable, friendly question. I can see you're not interested in such things. Your answer could have been "yes, I think 30 days jail is more than appropriate in this case". I hope I haven't struck a nerve.

[stylin19a]

dead in a crosswalk dead in the car, both from a blown stop sign and one is different ?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Pretty people tend to get less severe sentences.

I really hope that rule holds true in Cynthia McKinney's case. ;)

[andyk]

dead in a crosswalk dead in the car, both from a blown stop sign and one is different ?

There were two dead in the crosswalk, and it was a red light, not a stop sign. The mother says that she had the go-ahead to cross. But, what does it matter? It was just an accident.

[Doe Eyes]

Kind of funny to read the responses to this thread, and then read one about Red Light Cameras.

[Kokojmudd]

It was an ACCIDENT. I was going to post the same thing. However, after reading the hysterical calls for blood postings by so many self rightous, nose in the air, perfect assholes that never ever did anything wrong in their life, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to talk with these MADD mother, retribution types. God bless you and good luck.

I feel terrible for the victims but I often see the book thrown at defendants in these situations while habitual, violent criminals (especially child molesters) are let off easy. There should be a distinction between an accident and cases where it was done on purpose.

[andyk]

Heh, good point. :)

[metalurgist]

There should be a distinction between an accident and cases where it was done on purpose.

In this case , justice was fairly handed out. The girl behind the wheel didn't maliciously run these kids down. Her attention wandered, she missed the red light and she had an accident. Tragic for all concerned.

Some of these so called CHRISTIAN posters need to reread that bible they are always quoting and learn about forgiveness.

[Kokojmudd]

Frankly I think punishing the stupid and/or accident prone the same as real criminals is a sign of cultural decay and mob rule.

[stylin19a]

oh..red light WAAAAAAY different than stop sign....
2 dead instead of one dead that's WAAAAAAAAAAAY different.
one got 30 days, the other had no charges filed...WAAAAAAAY different.

[JoeSixPack1]

In the biker world we have a saying:

[stylin19a]

sorry for being cantankerous...
I agree the sentence stinks.

[Galveston Grl]

It is amazing to me that people look at accidents as "murder" now. I am surprised this young woman got any jail time for an accidental, tragic mistake. You have to have the intention to kill in order for it to be murder and the intention to harm in order for it to be manslaughter. This woman did not have that intention.

[SouthernFreebird]

Or do you think she cries herself to sleep, knowing the nightmares she will face, everyday?

I think that is the stupidest excuse for non punishment I've ever heard. My sympathy lies with the mother who will never stop crying.

[patton]

It was most certainly tragic for the mother - I also sympathise with her.

But what is it you wish to punnish?

[SouthernFreebird]

She intentionally ran a red light and mowed down 2 babies. This was no accident.