Probation and speaking engagements for Vehicular Homicide

In Morgan County, Jonathan Armes, 27,  was given a sentence of three years of probation for killing Terry Ledford, 50, while driving recklessly with a high level of oxycodone in his system. As part of the sentence Armes has been ordered to speak to High School students about the dangers of driving impaired.
I know nothing about this case, but I have a problem with sending offenders to school to talk to students. What makes us certain that an offender like this will have a positive result when speaking? Is he an effective public speaker? Will he make light of the situation? Will he go in and blame others for his predicament? Maybe, this Judge knows enough about this offender, that he has made the right decision in this instance. In most situations killing another person does not qualify an offender to become a counselor to students, so these types of orders are a little scary.

Read the News Sentinel report about this tragic case at:
Probation given in Morgan County vehicular homicide case » Knoxville News Sentinel

Felony DUI on Lawnmower affirmed

Six years is the sentence for a Range 2 felon, who drove impaired on a lawnmower. He is a 6 time DUI offender, who was also a declared habitual traffic offender. This guy was driving down the middle of the road on a riding mower with a .15 BAC level.
Read the decision at:
http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/mcmurraymartinopn.pdf

Halloween Drinking and Driving

Halloween is now one of the biggest drinking party events of the year. Many parties are scheduled this weekend. Don't end up in jail. Designate a driver and get home safely. You won't look good in the booking photo in your costume! You may end up on this blog. Be careful out there.

The best news from the annual DA's Conference was the unveiling of the new effort to fight against prescription and synthetic drug abuse. There is a powerful video and some great materials available. Go to the link to explore. These materials are free and can make a great difference.

http://www.tndagc.org/deceptivedanger/

50 years for double Aggravated Vehicular Homicides

In Wilson County a woman has received a 50 year sentence. Four-year old Alton Barrett and his grandfather, James Barrett, were killed.  The wreck left a third person, Ronnie Boyd, paralyzed.

Barbara Mayfield was driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone while extremely intoxicated. Read about it at:

Woman Sentenced To 50 Years For Deadly DUI Crash - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Sheriff Norman Lewis

Sorry to hear that Sheriff Lewis has passed away. He was a valuable member of the DUI Task Force appointed by Governor Bredeson in 2006. He was a Sheriff, who believed that enforcing traffic laws in his county would make his county safer. He had a great wit and a greater passion for doing the right thing. He will be missed.

12 year sentence for drunk, speeder who killed

Bryant Houston, 39, was traveling at 103  mph on Highway 153 in Chattanooga with a .19 BAC when he slammed into a car making a turn into a parking lot. In the child restraint seat in the back of the car was a 4 month old baby, Addison Moore.
Houston had the audacity to say he reached a .19 BAC by drinking 3 beers. A 200 pound male would have to consume about nine or ten beers in an hour to reach .19. This guy received a 12 year sentence from maiming two adults and killing a child. That's the maximum sentence in Tennessee. Maybe, during his prison time he can work on his math or his conscience.

Read about the tragic case at:
Chattanooga man sentenced to 12 years after 4-month-old girl dies in crash | timesfreepress.com