5 years for taking 2 lives... doesn't seem fair to me
By fatmansmommy
@fatmansmommy (751)
United States
February 27, 2009 7:05pm CST
A year and a half ago one of my close friends and co-worker, along with another co-worker, were killed in a head-on car crash. The man driving was high and going the wrong way on the expressway. Today he was finally sentenced, after having the sentencing rescheduled time after time. Well, he received "5 to 15 years", meaning in 5 years he will be up for parole and possibly be released. I am so upset today after hearing this. The system just makes no sense to me. How is that fair, and how does that give the family and friends any sense of justice? I just needed to vent...
2 people like this
9 responses
@dodo19 (47118)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Feb 09
I don't understand how someone could get so little time for taking two lives. I really don't understand! This man should get a heavier sentence. It just doesn't seem fair to me getting 5 to 15 years in jail for taking two lives. I don't know the whole circumstances, but it still doesn't seem fair.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
28 Feb 09
****Not a referal link****
http://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/griffin-burkman-family-murder-12312007-toledo-oh-5-members-of-family-killed-by-drunk-driver-driving-the-wrong-way-on-the-interstate/
The guy who did this... Killing my friend and 4 of her children including her 8 week old baby girl ended up with less then 10 years for each person. And that's IF he serves the whole time which is 50/50.
I understand totally why you needed to vent... It's been over a year and I still get hurt, and angry and...... you know.
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
28 Feb 09
you are right. 5 years doesn't seem like a long enough sentence. i think that the jails are so full so they are just letting people go. i think that is why the crime rate is so high. the criminals know that they will never serve their whole sentence and they will get let out early. so they can pretty much do what they want to do.
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
Yes I agree with you. Minimum of 5 years is just too lenient for the lost of two lives whatever the reason might be. The case should be reviewed and sentencing should be appropriate for the crime committed.
@tudors (1556)
• China
28 Feb 09
oh my, the punish is too mercy ! The driver should pay more. He is risking many lives at the price of its carelessness. The other day i read from BBC that a whole family, parents and three little boys and one baby, never uttered a word since it came to this world, were wiped out in a car accident. The incident was also caused by a careless driver and that man was only sentenced at most 5 years ! according to the local law.
Cheer up, think of those happy things and good memories. have a nice weekend!@fatmansmommy (751)
• United States
28 Feb 09
that's terrible! i don't understand why people are so reckless when they get behind the wheel. thanks for your response.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
28 Feb 09
i think it is not fair for me as well... 5 years for taking 2 lives seem too lenient for me... other crimes that are less serious seem to get more punishment than this... i think the justice system sometimes is not being fair to the society... but unfortunately there is not much thing that we can do about it... it is really too bad... take care and have a nice day...
@dmrone (746)
• United States
28 Feb 09
It is not justice, but with most prisons being overcrowded the sentences run shorter and the criminal gets off completely or with less time than they deserve.
@kquiming (2997)
• Philippines
28 Feb 09
just want to let you know i can empathize what you're feeling now, yeah the world is unfair, in many ways - big ways, small ways... but i think i've finally come to accept that fact. it's hard at first. i myself have my own fair share of "unfairness". i have experienced that kind of feeling too, yeah venting out is good. it helps.
