The court handed down the maximum sentence today and it feels surreal to finally see justice served. I truly never expected this outcome when I started writing but the weight of your support made all the difference. Please keep watching the news out of Santa Fe to ensure this sentence …
We, the undersigned, petition the District Court in Santa Fe to sentence Christopher LaVone to the maximum penalty of 6 years in prison for the violent crime of Vehicular Homicide while Intoxicated. We request that time off for good behavior; be limited due to the violent nature of this crime.
Facts:
1. On March 31st, 2007, the defendant, Christopher LaVone, was driving while intoxicated.
2. The defendant hit pedestrian, Sarah Williams, sending her approximately 100 feet through the air.
3. According to the primary eyewitness, the defendant slowed down for a moment and then took off.
4. Sarah was left alone, unprotected, in the road to die.
5. The defendant then hid in the woods for two hours, while his blood alcohol level declined. Once apprehended, he was still intoxicated, based upon blood alcohol testing.
6. On July 14th, 2008, the defendant pleaded guilty to Vehicular Homicide while Intoxicated.
7. Research has proven the most effective deterrent for DWI is treatment plus incarceration.
8. If the defendant is incarcerated, The Department of Corrections has a \'therapeutic community\' where the defendant could get the treatment he needs.
The defendant would like to only be sentenced to treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, without any incarceration. He is using the excuse of PTSD, received as a Veteran of Gulf War I, for leaving the scene of the crime. The eyewitness, who stopped to help Sarah, was also a Veteran of the same war. This eyewitness is furious to hear that the defendant is using PTSD as an excuse for leaving the scene of the crime.
The six years maximum sentence that this crime carries will be decreased to approx 4.5 years, because since the time of the accident, the defendant has been wearing an electronic monitoring device and in New Mexico this time counts as time served (even though during this time the defendant has been living a relatively normal life). If given the maximum sentence, the defendant will likely not serve much over 2 years after allowing time off for good behavior.
The people signing this petition believe that serious consequences must be enforced for DWI and resulting vehicular homicide. Christopher LaVone and others who drink and drive must be held accountable for their reckless behavior. Otherwise these laws will not be taken seriously, there will be no deterrent effect, and innocent people will continue to be killed.
I have been reading through the deeply moving stories you share in the comments and it reinforces why this pursuit of justice for Sarah is so vital. Please know that I am working hard behind the scenes to ensure our request reaches the right people at the District Court. This momentum is entirely because of your compassion.
August 4, 2008
Seeing the momentum behind this has been completely overwhelming and I am truly humbled by your response. This movement belongs to all of you who refuse to let Sarah be forgotten. I never imagined this many people would join this effort to ensure justice is served.
Reached 100 supporters
August 4, 2008
6 Comments
M
Mike Morrison
18 years ago
Featured
6 years is not enough for taking a life and driving away. He deserves the max sentence for what he did to that poor girl.
R
Robert Ramirez
18 years ago
Featured
My heart breaks for Sarahs family. Lock him up and keep him there.
D
David Castro
18 years ago
Featured
Justice for Sarah. Hit and run while drunk is inexcusable.
B
Brenda Ortiz
18 years ago
Featured
what a monster. he left her in the road like trash. give him the max penalty!
L
Lisa Santana
18 years ago
Featured
Being a vet doesnt give you a free pass to kill someone. He left her there to die alone in the road. Disgusting.
K
Karen Mehta
18 years ago
Featured
He knew exactly what he was doing when he hid in the woods. Dont let him use PTSD as an excuse to avoid prison.
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The court handed down the maximum sentence today and it feels surreal to finally see justice served. I truly never expected this outcome when I started writing but the weight of your support made all the difference. Please keep watching the news out of Santa Fe to ensure this sentence …
We, the undersigned, petition the District Court in Santa Fe to sentence Christopher LaVone to the maximum penalty of 6 years in prison for the violent crime of Vehicular Homicide while Intoxicated. We request that time off for good behavior; be limited due to the violent nature of this crime.
Facts:
1. On March 31st, 2007, the defendant, Christopher LaVone, was driving while intoxicated.
2. The defendant hit pedestrian, Sarah Williams, sending her approximately 100 feet through the air.
3. According to the primary eyewitness, the defendant slowed down for a moment and then took off.
4. Sarah was left alone, unprotected, in the road to die.
5. The defendant then hid in the woods for two hours, while his blood alcohol level declined. Once apprehended, he was still intoxicated, based upon blood alcohol testing.
6. On July 14th, 2008, the defendant pleaded guilty to Vehicular Homicide while Intoxicated.
7. Research has proven the most effective deterrent for DWI is treatment plus incarceration.
8. If the defendant is incarcerated, The Department of Corrections has a \'therapeutic community\' where the defendant could get the treatment he needs.
The defendant would like to only be sentenced to treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, without any incarceration. He is using the excuse of PTSD, received as a Veteran of Gulf War I, for leaving the scene of the crime. The eyewitness, who stopped to help Sarah, was also a Veteran of the same war. This eyewitness is furious to hear that the defendant is using PTSD as an excuse for leaving the scene of the crime.
The six years maximum sentence that this crime carries will be decreased to approx 4.5 years, because since the time of the accident, the defendant has been wearing an electronic monitoring device and in New Mexico this time counts as time served (even though during this time the defendant has been living a relatively normal life). If given the maximum sentence, the defendant will likely not serve much over 2 years after allowing time off for good behavior.
The people signing this petition believe that serious consequences must be enforced for DWI and resulting vehicular homicide. Christopher LaVone and others who drink and drive must be held accountable for their reckless behavior. Otherwise these laws will not be taken seriously, there will be no deterrent effect, and innocent people will continue to be killed.
I have been reading through the deeply moving stories you share in the comments and it reinforces why this pursuit of justice for Sarah is so vital. Please know that I am working hard behind the scenes to ensure our request reaches the right people at the District Court. This momentum is entirely because of your compassion.
August 4, 2008
Seeing the momentum behind this has been completely overwhelming and I am truly humbled by your response. This movement belongs to all of you who refuse to let Sarah be forgotten. I never imagined this many people would join this effort to ensure justice is served.
Reached 100 supporters
August 4, 2008
6 Comments
M
Mike Morrison
18 years ago
Featured
6 years is not enough for taking a life and driving away. He deserves the max sentence for what he did to that poor girl.
R
Robert Ramirez
18 years ago
Featured
My heart breaks for Sarahs family. Lock him up and keep him there.
D
David Castro
18 years ago
Featured
Justice for Sarah. Hit and run while drunk is inexcusable.
B
Brenda Ortiz
18 years ago
Featured
what a monster. he left her in the road like trash. give him the max penalty!
L
Lisa Santana
18 years ago
Featured
Being a vet doesnt give you a free pass to kill someone. He left her there to die alone in the road. Disgusting.
K
Karen Mehta
18 years ago
Featured
He knew exactly what he was doing when he hid in the woods. Dont let him use PTSD as an excuse to avoid prison.
6 years is not enough for taking a life and driving away. He deserves the max sentence for what he did to that poor girl.