What Does Laughing about Your Victim's Death Get You?
A Tucson woman, Melissa Arrington, was charged with negligent homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI after she swerved off the road in her car to hit a cyclist, Paul L'Ecuyer, in December 2006.
Arrington could have been stuck with a minimum sentence of four years, but the judge didn't hesitate to give her a much higher sentence of 10.5 years, one year less than the maximum, for a phone call that was played at trial that he called "breathtaking in its inhumanity."
According to court records and news reports, in the phone call a friend said that a mutual lfriend said Arrington should be applauded for the incident, saying she should get a parade and a medal for "taking out" a "tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot." Arrington responded with a laugh, and when her friend admitted that it was a terrible thing to say, Arrington replied, "No, it's not."
How you behave in the court room and your contrition for your actions can go a long way in convincing the judge that you regret your DUI and the illegal or damaging actions that resulted. The judge in this case obviously thought that Arrington's laugh indicated she wasn't remorseful for her actions.
Here's another guide to what NOT to do in a court of law, courtesy of one New York man who told the judge at trial that he was "bored"!!!
I'm going to have to agree with your sentiment. How you behave and whether you show remorse are very critical to how you are sentenced. If a judge or jury can identify with you, you are 100% better off.
Great blog entry, and let this be a warning to all in that courtroom!