FOX News: Clara Harris murder trial sentence - 20 years in prison, $10,000 fine

FOX News Channel ^ | February 14, 2003 | Fox News Channel Staff

[twyn1]

Wow -- knock me over -- I really thought they'd go easy on her -- of course, we didn't see the whole film of her driving over the guy 3 times-- or the gory autopsy pictures they would show the jury -- plus hearing that his daughter (her stepdaughter) was in the car really made it extra nasty -- can you imagine the hell that girl went thru' (is still going thru')

[Let's Roll]

I wanted her to at least be in until her children were old enough that she would not be much influence on them. This will work.

[CharacterCounts]

20 years!!! Now she'll be appealing for years with the money of the husband she killed

Nearly every state prohibits a murderer from inheriting money from the estate of the one she killed. Same goes for any insurance money.

[txradioguy]

Don't forget wives do the same thing too! Sorry, I had to defend those of us guys who've been cheated on too! LOL!

[guitfiddlist]

20 years! Oh, how unfair. Mr. Harris screws his poor wife over again. Oh, wait a minute, he's dead.

[dennisw]

She's gotta be the stupidest woman in America. She could have gotten a hefty divorce from her husband. Their assets are $10 million. And if she felt so shamed and embarrassed by hubby's cheating she could have easily relocated to where no one knows her. Or even back to the Latin nation she's from. Venezuela?

[twyn1]

Husbands and wives screw around all the time

No they don't -- media myth

[Enterprise]

"We the jury, having found Clara Harris guilty of murder, wish her a happy Valentine's day, and give her 20 years."

[txradioguy]

A little snippet of testimony during the punishment phase testimony fromthe step-dayghter said that after Ms. harris ran her hubby over, the step-daughter tried to kill herself she was so distraught.

[txradioguy]

Don't forget, this was also her 11th wedding anniv.

[twyn1]

Maybe not only Valetine's Day for her -- I think I heard that they got married on this date ???

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think it's a fair sentence. On the one hand, this was not a premeditated murder, in the sense she had planned it for weeks. She was enraged at the time.

On the other hand, it was a vicious crime, aggravated considerably by the fact that she caused the victim's daughter not merely to witness it, but in a sense be a part of it, riding in the murder weapon/car.

[PhiKapMom]

I cannot imagine what she put her stepdaughter through -- that poor girl has to live with the vision of that for the rest of her life.

I was shocked they gave her 20 years myself!

[twyn1]

Oh that's so sad -- the poor child ! No matter what a stinker the husband was, doing that in front of his daughter was cold !

[johnb838]

20 years!!! Now she'll be appealing for years with the money of the husband she killed.

Nope, I'm pretty sure the money was attached right away to go to the kids. I think this is a pretty fair sentence. It fits the 'crime of passion' definition to a T, still, you can't murder and get away with it. If she can learn to control her temper in prison she will be out fairly quickly. If she can't she will be there a long long time.

[goodieD]

I take it from this thread that you all were against her? Sorry.. cheating, no matter how common it is, is a very ugly thing. Just because a sin is common doesn't make it right. I don't think she should have had his daughter in the car, but I don't blame her one bit..she should have run down his slut too.

[Sweet Hour of Prayer]

"Husbands and wives screw around all the time."

That doesn't make it right and sometimes ends in murder. I wonder who's life Gail Bridges will go and destroy now?

David brought shame and disaster to his own house. Even his own father refused to support his side of the story.

"Daddy's in the graveyard, Momma's in the pen"

[Semper911]

sudden passion bump

Yeah, except this case gives a whole new meaning of "bump."

(...More like thump ...x3 )

[mdittmar]

Yes they do,not all,I'd guess 30%.

[shadeaud]

poor little rich girl... Cries and collapses as the sentence was announced. She was probably expecting to eat lobster and filet mignon tonight. Tough, I hope she rots