The request for an independent investigation into the handling of this case has been granted. It is a profound relief to see the process serve the interests of justice for Christian and Melvin after such a long period of uncertainty. This outcome belongs to everyone who refused to stay silent …
February 8, 2016
Investigate Wood County District Attorney Craig Lambert's Decision Regarding Seth Nelson
Final supporters
On Friday, November 20, 2015, at approximately 6 p.m., Seth Nelson was speeding on County Road HH in the town of Hansen, Wood County. Nelson slammed his truck into the back of a wagon that was being operated by Christian Kempf, age 31, and his 10-year-old son, Melvin. Christian passed the following day and Melvin passed on December 1, 2015.
Nelson's breath test the night of the crash revealed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.14 percent – clearly above the legal limit of 0.08. Nelson was held on a preliminary charge of suspicion of homicide by drunken driving. On Monday, November 23, 2016, Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter set a $5000 cash bond for Nelson. At that time, the prosecutor for the case was Wood County Assistant District Attorney, Michael Zell.
However, on January 21, 2016, District Attorney Craig Lambert announced that no criminal charges would be filed against Nelson. Offering support for his decision, he reported that “limited visibility of the wagon" caused the accident and that the crash would have occurred, regardless of Nelson’s level of impairment. Mr. Lambert stated that Nelson will instead be cited for drunken driving and driving with a prohibitive blood-alcohol concentration.
We the undersigned request that an investigation be held regarding District Attorney Craig Lambert's unwillingness to file criminal charges against Seth Nelson.
Steve Abrahamson will present this petition to the Wood County Judicial & Legislative Committee on February 5, 2016.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 31, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
January 28, 2016
109 Comments
This court decision was beyond unjust! Drunk driving that resulted in 2 dead (father and SON, no less) and nothing but a citation for impaired driving?! Fix this Wood County!!
Such injustice. As someone who has seen Seth drink and then drive all too often, I fear for the next person at risk because of his actions. Attorney Lambert should be held accountable when Seth (or anyone else this affects as precedence) get behind the wheel and injure or kill again.
Regardless of limited visibility, the guy was drunk & KILLED 2 people. What the hell is wrong with this system? I'd be in prison for life if that happened to me. This is just more proof of how unjust the system really is, and why I don't respect it. People get heavier penalties for possessing marijuana. What a disgrace!
I don't agree with most of what Steve Abrahamson says, but on this subject, I do. Wood County is putting double standards on people taking lives while they are driving. Criminal charges should be brought against Nelson.
Carmen, They were NOT in a black buggy... They were on a HAY WAGON, which is much bigger than buggy... English farmers pull hay wagons and also have no lights on the back. Only slow moving vehicle triangle, which was also on this one too!
DA Craig Lambert should be charged with neglegence for not charging this abusive driver..How is he still DA, get him out!!!
Justice needs to be served not sugar coated
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The request for an independent investigation into the handling of this case has been granted. It is a profound relief to see the process serve the interests of justice for Christian and Melvin after such a long period of uncertainty. This outcome belongs to everyone who refused to stay silent …
February 8, 2016
Investigate Wood County District Attorney Craig Lambert's Decision Regarding Seth Nelson
Final supporters
On Friday, November 20, 2015, at approximately 6 p.m., Seth Nelson was speeding on County Road HH in the town of Hansen, Wood County. Nelson slammed his truck into the back of a wagon that was being operated by Christian Kempf, age 31, and his 10-year-old son, Melvin. Christian passed the following day and Melvin passed on December 1, 2015.
Nelson's breath test the night of the crash revealed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.14 percent – clearly above the legal limit of 0.08. Nelson was held on a preliminary charge of suspicion of homicide by drunken driving. On Monday, November 23, 2016, Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter set a $5000 cash bond for Nelson. At that time, the prosecutor for the case was Wood County Assistant District Attorney, Michael Zell.
However, on January 21, 2016, District Attorney Craig Lambert announced that no criminal charges would be filed against Nelson. Offering support for his decision, he reported that “limited visibility of the wagon" caused the accident and that the crash would have occurred, regardless of Nelson’s level of impairment. Mr. Lambert stated that Nelson will instead be cited for drunken driving and driving with a prohibitive blood-alcohol concentration.
We the undersigned request that an investigation be held regarding District Attorney Craig Lambert's unwillingness to file criminal charges against Seth Nelson.
Steve Abrahamson will present this petition to the Wood County Judicial & Legislative Committee on February 5, 2016.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 31, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
January 28, 2016
109 Comments
It was his choice to drink and get behind the wheel and unfortunately kill two innocent people!! If he had hit a bike or a person just walking but not Amish I bet charges would have been made!! Both DA's should be a shamed of the self, I pray that something like this never happens to someone in their families!!
This court decision was beyond unjust! Drunk driving that resulted in 2 dead (father and SON, no less) and nothing but a citation for impaired driving?! Fix this Wood County!!
Such injustice. As someone who has seen Seth drink and then drive all too often, I fear for the next person at risk because of his actions. Attorney Lambert should be held accountable when Seth (or anyone else this affects as precedence) get behind the wheel and injure or kill again.
Regardless of limited visibility, the guy was drunk & KILLED 2 people. What the hell is wrong with this system? I'd be in prison for life if that happened to me. This is just more proof of how unjust the system really is, and why I don't respect it. People get heavier penalties for possessing marijuana. What a disgrace!
I don't agree with most of what Steve Abrahamson says, but on this subject, I do. Wood County is putting double standards on people taking lives while they are driving. Criminal charges should be brought against Nelson.
Carmen, They were NOT in a black buggy... They were on a HAY WAGON, which is much bigger than buggy... English farmers pull hay wagons and also have no lights on the back. Only slow moving vehicle triangle, which was also on this one too!
DA Craig Lambert should be charged with neglegence for not charging this abusive driver..How is he still DA, get him out!!!
Justice needs to be served not sugar coated
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It was his choice to drink and get behind the wheel and unfortunately kill two innocent people!! If he had hit a bike or a person just walking but not Amish I bet charges would have been made!! Both DA's should be a shamed of the self, I pray that something like this never happens to someone in their families!!