Posted on 11/25/2012 10:36:04 PM PST by Slings and Arrows
Comal County, Tex. (CBS HOUSTON) – A Guadalupe County man arrested for his eighth DWI has been sentenced to life in prison after being pulled over last February with a Blood Alcohol level equivalent to consuming 23.5 beers.
In late February, authorities say Cornelio Garcia-Mata was driving nearly six times the legal alcohol limit, when he was pulled over around 6 p.m. off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels, WOAI-TV reports. Garcia-Mata got his first DWI in 1990. While on probation, he picked up his second. Since he’s a habitual offender he faced 25 years to life in prison for his latest offense.
“Subsequent blood tests shows that his blood alcohol was .446,” Comal County Chief Felony Prosecutor, Sammy McCrary told the court, according to WOAI. “It was a good verdict for the community. That’s somebody we won’t have to worry about killing somebody.”
In a video posted on YouTube from Feb. 26, 2012, an officer’s dashboard camera shows Garcia-Mata swerving in his truck before being pulled over on suspicion of intoxication. “How much alcohol have you been drinking today?” asks the officer. “I’m not drinking,” Garcia-Mata replied in slurred speech.
Prosecutors said his blood-alcohol level was five times the legal limit.
He has been held since then at the Comal County Jail without bond after a hold was placed on his release by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was indicted in May, arraigned in June, and went to trial on Tuesday last week in front of a Comal County jury. They later returned a guilty verdict and a finding that Garcia-Mata’s vehicle was a deadly weapon because of his previous felony DWI convictions.
What would normally be a third degree felony with a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, became a 1st degree felony with a possible sentence of 25 years to life, KGNB Radio reported. After deliberating for only 20 minutes, the jury returned with the maximum penalty: life in prison.
In 2008, Garcia-Mata served less than two years of a six-year sentence, McCrary told WOAI. Garcia-Mata had seven prior DWI convictions out of Guadalupe County, which included felony charges. Garcia-Mata now awaits transfer into the state prison system.
Garcia-Mata will be eligible for parole in 30 years – when he is 75 years old.
It should have been, "firing squad or sword" after the SECOND DWI.
He must have been warned.
It seems probable.
The thing I find odd is the disproportionate outrage in this country over drunk drivers versus other dangerous drivers. It is bizarre. I see so many people driving like idiots, and they supposedly re sober. Speeding, tailgating, excessive lane changers, no signals, constant cell phone use... The only difference seems to be some people are having a “good time” by imbibing. If I’m killed by speeder or a cellphone user or whatever, I consider that WORSE than being killed by drunk cause they were sober and should have known better.
This guy should be locked up for good, though.
I just LOVE the Lone Star State!
"sniffle"
Chuck Norris was convicted of DUI in El Salvador three times.
Another drunk Mexican behind the wheel in Texas is nothing to write about. But this one was particularly stupid in getting arrested in Comal Co., where they will still enforce every law to the max.
The good folk of New Braunfels believe in law and order. When visitors from Houston and Austin trashed their lovely little river by covering it in beer cans every summer weekend, they passed a law that no beer in cans or glass can be brought to the river. You may bring it in a non-disposible thermos or go without. Gotta love the law-abiding citizens that value their town above the dollar.
After? So let him loose now to what? Run over one of my loved ones? Then throw the book at him?
Eight chances already? we have no idea and maybe he doesn’t either if he maybe already hit and ran and was never caught.
Sorry. You couldn’t be more wrong on this.
He’s a professional - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Back in the day, we ALL used to drive drunk. The cops would pull you over and determine if you were too drunk to drive, and of the probably a dozen or so times I personally was pulled over, only once was I arrested and charged with DUI.
We were EXPERIENCED drunk drivers. I never had a wreck, I never even came close.
I knew a guy once, he got thrown in jail for 18 months I think it was, for his 8th, ninth, and tenth offense of driving drunk while his license was revoked, for driving drunk.
Now, would I recommend people do this nowdays?? HELL NO! But we did, and honestly, I dont know a single soul who got hurt or hurt anyone else doing it.
Yep they’ll bust your arse in Comal county and I’m all for it, I have zero tolerance for drunks. After I got out of the Army in 72 I went to work for the Sheriff’s Dept in West Texas. We had 16 Churches, 22 bars 4 liquor stores and at least a dozen retailers that sold wine and beer. I can honestly say that 85% of my calls were alcohol related in some way or another. I’ve seen men, women and children abused and beaten. I’ve seen dead bodies on the highway and in vehicles and far too many suicides. A world without alcohol wouldn’t bother me in the least.
He let them off with a warning after the 3rd time.
True. And while it is aterrible thing to have a drunk person run into someone and kill them, I don’t believe in harsh punishments for people that have not hurt anyone. This is supposed to be a free country, but by using the logic that a number of people here have used, you might as well lock anyone up who buys a drink, because they MIGHT drive drunk and hurt someone. And, applying the same standards to everyone isn’t right,either,IMHO, some people can drive safely with a lot more alcohol in them than others.Pretty harsh punishment if he hasn’t hurt anyone else.
This guy was a “ professional “ drinker, his body has adjusted to constant high alcohol levels. I see patients all the time with BALs of 300 and up who barely slur a word and are already getting a little shakey...
This guy deserves his sentence. He’s proven he will drink and drive regardless of the consequences to those around him. Lock him up and toss the key...
this stupid. these laws are stupid. the guy has an addiction. the laws that take away driver’s licenses for 10 years are stupid too.
So you would be okay with a guy drunk as a skunk walking around shooting a weapon as long as he doesn’t hit someone? Who was caught doing it 7 times ( and actually out there doing it countless times without getting caught).....
You’re right. Should fill up the jails with DUIs.
After the second DUI, confiscate the car and driver’s license and leave the driver and passengers by the side of the road.
After the third DUI, put a bullet in the drivers head.
Problem solved. No over crowded jails.
“I can tell you from first hand experience that when you have drank to much you don’t think very well!”
Thats a pretty silly reason to give this guy a pass. He’s had 8 chances, how many more does he need?
Why bring up the perp’s race?
A drunk behind the wheel is a drunk behind the wheel.
A buddy of mine from Green Bay finally saw the light after a series of three day binges. He drove over to the in-patient clinic and blew a .289 at 8:30 AM...
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