Mallard gets 60 years

dallas morning news ^

[dennis1x]

not eligible for parole for 30.

[HardStarboard]

I posted this yesterday - and I ain't changed my opinion!

The only sentence that would be just would be to shoot her fat ass through an SUV windshield and drive into a one car garage and close the door.

No peeking for 10 days!

[Lijahsbubbe]

You can't bring the victim back, so no matter how sad it may appear, the second life is forfeit too.

I think this is where the problem comes in. Most people are compassionate, and hate to see the suffering of others, including the murderer and his/her family. However, we can still have compassion and forgiveness and at the same time expect consequences and accountability.

[bigj00]

Where the hell is the LIFE SENTENCE for the HATE CRIME!!!!

Oh, I forgot WHITE VICTIM, BLACK PERP= NO HATE CRIME!!
white guy YELLS, didn't hit her or touch her, at black womon during traffic dispute gets 1 year probation.

Don't you love the double standard?

[MEG33]

She didn't intentionally target a white man and hit him because he was white.In Texas hate crime bumps up lesser crimes.People whined about the men that killed James Byrd not being charged with a hate crime.How do you enhance death sentences?

[MEG33]

I do have compassion for her family.

[wardaddy]

Nah...it wasn't the pics...it was the deference shown to ya.

I thought you were a 55 to 60 year old former snake eater.

I'm actually pleased to learn you're from my age clan.

WD

[cajungirl]

I watched the presentence hearing and realized that even after the killing, she continued to party, drink, smoke dope, etc. She had done this for years while working as a medical aide, being a prison guard. This babe was not making a one time mistake. She knew the ropes. But nevertheless, it is a very long sentence in my opinion. Stone cold killers get less than that iin alot of places. Hard to feel merciful about a girl who just keeps on truckin and smokin and drinkin after that dreadful event. Show no remorse if you ask me.

[Lijahsbubbe]

So do I. Point I'm making is I think a lot of people think you can't have both. There still has to be justice.

[writmeister]

Yes, it was the county prosecutor who brought the charges, but it was the jury who assessed the punishment. We do not have sentencing guidelines in Texas -- only a broad range from which the jury to select the appropriate sentence.

For murder, the jury could have assessed anything between five years' community supervision and life imprisonment based on what they think is appropriate under the specific circumstances.

[writmeister]

There was no hate crime charge for two reasons. First, there was no evidence that she intentionally hit the victim because of his race. Second, even if the jury found that she committed the offense due to bias, it would not affect the punishment range because she was already charged with a first-degree felony.

[Az Joe]

The judge did the actual sentencing, are you saying he had to go along with the jury's sentence?

[MEG33]

Mr Biggs son said "I can accept your apology but restitution is required even though forgiveness is given."

[writmeister]

Yes. In Texas, the judge has no power to alter the jury's sentence if it is wihtin the statutory range of punishment. The judge's role is assessing punishment is a mere formality.

[MEG33]

Are you saying he should have gone against the jury's decision?

[Az Joe]

I wish he had.

[A_perfect_lady]

ONLY If she has to serve those thirty days with THIS GUY...

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Find me a find... catch me a catch...!

[GladesGuru]

Why was teh death penalty not an option? Surely this was a crime equal to much that happened in the late, unlamented Third Reich.

As I remember, we hung some of those scoundrels. Yet Texas executes lots of criminals each year - virtually all male. Has Texas somehow contracted a case of Liberalism? of feminist PC behavior??

[A_perfect_lady]

I have a question; how does anyone think this would have played out with the media and the public if the perp's and victim's ethnic groups were reversed?

Oh, the New York Times wishes.

[Jeff Head]

Amen on the priors...and take your best shot on the poking fun...I'm feelinmg no pain there bro, LOL!

Best regards!