My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Original post by Sassy

Jul 24, 2003 09:11 AM

I could breathe a little now.......

Yesterday was the hearing and the guilty party Juan Gonzalez pleaded Guilty to Negligent Vehicular Homicide. This happened in March, while he was drunk driving he crashed into my cousin sending him spiraling and crushing him into a tree.
It's been very hard, and it was hard going to the funeral and dealing w/it all while planning my wedding.

The laws for DWI STINK, but we agreed to a plea. He will get:

6 months in jail (started yesterday)
5 years probation.

Not as much as we would like but if he went to trial he would probably only get a year and NO probation, so we all decided this was best so we could put it all behind us. And while he's on his 5 year probation reporting to his PO every month, at least he'll be forced to think about his actions.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. IT HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME TO HAVE YOU BY MY SIDE.

Latina511 Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:42 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

pschica Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:44 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

i can only imagine how hard this has been - dwi laws stink...

LisaW Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:46 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

I'm so sorry for what you and your family had to endure.

Marnles Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:53 AM

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Liz-
I'm very happy to hear that this part is over...I know how hard it must have been. You have always been in my thoughts...

Sassy Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:58 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Thank You all.

The hardest part is over now.
Sept 24th is the last hearing which is just making his sentence official althought he already started serving yesterday.

But this will be our chance to say a few choice words to him and to make our statement to the judge to make sure the remainder of his sentence sticks and he doesn't somehow get out of the probation part of it.

I think after the Judge hears that my aunt (cousin's mother) had a heart attach after her only son's death, that his chances of skipping probation will be zero...........

aliasPook Posted: Jul 24, 2003 09:59 AM

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Misty Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:03 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Oh my goodness Liz. I'm so happy you finally have some sort of closure. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Wendy Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:06 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Liz 6 months hardly seems long enough, but I understand that's the way the system works. I am happy for you and your family that at least they found the person and he will have to pay for what he he did. My thoughts and best wishes to you and your whole family.

Iloveweddings Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:10 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Liz-

I am glad that in some ways your family has found some sense of peace. I however, do NOT agree with 6 months and probation. I really wish that our state had tougher DWI and other laws. However, I also do believe that people get what they deserve and he will have to live with what he has done for the remainder of his life!

God Bless you and your family!

Sassy Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:16 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Thanks again everyone.

I also agree 6 months is not enough but he had the system on his side.
No prior record, and also they couldn't prove 'intent'
Apparantly that has a lot to do with it that he didnt itentionally go out to kill someone.

To me I don't care, he did kill by breaking the law and driving drunk. He should've gotten the book thrown at him.

Yesterday, while there someone got 4 years jail time for carjacking -- and he hurt the victim but did not kill him.

He gets 4 years, and this jerk gets 6 months. I don't see the justice in that.

But it had to do with Intent and Motive and premeditation. It S U C K S !!!!!

jennbaby Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:23 AM

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dgtlsunshine Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:27 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

Oh that ****s but I am glad he gets that Felony conviction. That will stick to him like glue.

Big Hugs to the Family

mishandgerard Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:29 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

I am so glad its over for you.

JuneBabyBride Posted: Jul 24, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

I am so glad to hear that.

mlp924 Posted: Jul 24, 2003 11:04 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

I'm glad you can put this behind you!

Julybaby Posted: Jul 24, 2003 11:26 AM

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Betty Posted: Jul 24, 2003 11:38 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

That's great Liz

michele31 Posted: Jul 24, 2003 11:43 AM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

6 months for killing someone how sad for your whole family.
I believe if you drink and drive then you should go to Prision for a VERY long time because it is such an easy thing to prevent. You have a chose NOT to get into your car. You should also NEVER get your license back in any state of the country if you are caught ONCE DWI, even if you do not hurt anyone.
Consider joing MAD or another group that helps to change the laws. Let me know if I can sign a petition or anything.

Claud2001 Posted: Jul 24, 2003 12:00 PM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

My gosh, Liz - I am so sorry! I did not even know this happened I hope that your family is able to find peace somehow, now that this is decided.
I believe strongly that the punishment should fit the crime, and I agree that 6 months doesn't seem nearly enough after taking someone's life. I hope that this man will live the rest of his life being so sorry for his actions, and NEVER taking a drink and then driving again.

joeslauren Posted: Jul 24, 2003 01:15 PM

Re: My cousin's killer is in jail now.........

First -
I am so sorry that you had to go thru this. I couldn't imagine how you are feeling but I am sure him going to jail serves as some sort of relief. I'm glad for you that it is over.