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An example of homicide victim's family asking for sentencing leniency

By Douglas A. Berman

The Supreme Court's disinclination to consider a pair of victim impact capital cases (basics here) has already prompted some commentors to complain about victims having a role in the criminal justice system.  But this local story from Utah provides yet another example of how victims can often be a voice for sentencing leniency even when the defendant is facing homicide charges: Driving while talking on a cell phone is a dangerous mix for one mom. "Oh it breaks my heart,? said Linda Mulkey. ?It?s such a dangerous habit." Mulkey knows first hand about the consequences of a distracted driver.  She lost her only daughter in a car accident. 18 months ago, Lauren Mulkey just graduated from East High.  She died when Theodore Jorgensen ran a red light while fidgeting with his cell phone...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on November 11, 2008 (boomark / email).