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.

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