Teens To Plead Guilty
#1
Posted 09 August 2007 - 09:36 PM
#2
Posted 09 August 2007 - 09:41 PM
http://www.news10.ne...x?storyid=31370
Teens to Plead Guilty in Speeding Death
Two teenage boys have gone from graduates of Bella Vista High School to a future that may include time in the California Youth Authority.
The teens have agreed to plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter in the death of second grade teacher Susan McNew, 53, according to one defense attorney. Seven months ago, the boys were reportedly speeding past the Folsom outlet stores on Iron Point Road when one of them slammed into McNew's car as she pulled out from the parking lot.
"I think they were two kids who made a mistake. They didn't do the smartest thing that day, no question about it," said Kevin Adamson, defense attorney for the teen whose car actually struck McNew. "I think they got caught up in the moment and they were very clearly speeding."
McNew, of Shingle Springs, was a veteran educator who taught second grade at Blue Oak Elementary in Cameron Park. She was married with two children.
While Folsom police and prosecutors maintain the teens were street racing, Adamson said his client denies that. "His definition is a starting line and a finish line and whoever gets there first wins. That's not at all what they were doing," Adamson said.
During a juvenile court hearing Thursday afternoon, the teens, now both 18, agreed to enter their formal pleas to one count each of vehicular manslaughter September 18 in Sacramento Juvenile Court. A sentencing hearing will follow. The two could receive a maximum sentence of just under three years in CYA, up until their respective 21st birthdays.
But the defense will fight for an alternative to prison time. "This is not about punishment. This is about rehabilitation of two kids who are otherwise very good kids," said Adamson. "Neither one of them have (sic) any record whatsoever, both very good students, both on their way to college. I fail to see how these kids can be rehabilitated by going to prison."
In earlier court proceedings, Bella Vista school officials described the teenager who hit McNew as a model student. On Thursday, Judge Raoul Thorbourne said he's received letters from a Bella Vista counselor and a vice principal, "urging the court to be flexible and understanding," in sentencing.
While prosecutor Rick Lewkowitz declined to say much after court, he did say, "there is no plea deal" on the table.
Neither McNew's husband nor other family members attended Thursday's hearing. Adamson said his client is remorseful, "has been from the start, feels terrible about the whole thing."
"He wanted to meet with the family, he's requested to be able to speak with the victim's husband at high schools and to talk to kids about the dangers of this stuff," said Adamson.
News10 is not identifying the boys because they were charged as juveniles. Both were 17-years-old at the time of the crash.
They remain out of custody wearing electronic monitors until their sentencing.
#3
Posted 09 August 2007 - 10:19 PM
#4
Posted 09 August 2007 - 11:13 PM
http://www.news10.ne...x?storyid=31370
Teens to Plead Guilty in Speeding Death
Two teenage boys have gone from graduates of Bella Vista High School to a future that may include time in the California Youth Authority.
The teens have agreed to plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter in the death of second grade teacher Susan McNew, 53, according to one defense attorney. Seven months ago, the boys were reportedly speeding past the Folsom outlet stores on Iron Point Road when one of them slammed into McNew's car as she pulled out from the parking lot.
"I think they were two kids who made a mistake. They didn't do the smartest thing that day, no question about it," said Kevin Adamson, defense attorney for the teen whose car actually struck McNew. "I think they got caught up in the moment and they were very clearly speeding."
McNew, of Shingle Springs, was a veteran educator who taught second grade at Blue Oak Elementary in Cameron Park. She was married with two children.
While Folsom police and prosecutors maintain the teens were street racing, Adamson said his client denies that. "His definition is a starting line and a finish line and whoever gets there first wins. That's not at all what they were doing," Adamson said.
During a juvenile court hearing Thursday afternoon, the teens, now both 18, agreed to enter their formal pleas to one count each of vehicular manslaughter September 18 in Sacramento Juvenile Court. A sentencing hearing will follow. The two could receive a maximum sentence of just under three years in CYA, up until their respective 21st birthdays.
But the defense will fight for an alternative to prison time. "This is not about punishment. This is about rehabilitation of two kids who are otherwise very good kids," said Adamson. "Neither one of them have (sic) any record whatsoever, both very good students, both on their way to college. I fail to see how these kids can be rehabilitated by going to prison."
In earlier court proceedings, Bella Vista school officials described the teenager who hit McNew as a model student. On Thursday, Judge Raoul Thorbourne said he's received letters from a Bella Vista counselor and a vice principal, "urging the court to be flexible and understanding," in sentencing.
While prosecutor Rick Lewkowitz declined to say much after court, he did say, "there is no plea deal" on the table.
Neither McNew's husband nor other family members attended Thursday's hearing. Adamson said his client is remorseful, "has been from the start, feels terrible about the whole thing."
"He wanted to meet with the family, he's requested to be able to speak with the victim's husband at high schools and to talk to kids about the dangers of this stuff," said Adamson.
News10 is not identifying the boys because they were charged as juveniles. Both were 17-years-old at the time of the crash.
They remain out of custody wearing electronic monitors until their sentencing.
If I hear them say "these are good kids who have never done anything wrong" again I'm going to be sick. So these good "smart" kids didn't think it was wrong to drive/race at 70mph down a curvy road with a ton of blind spot and cross traffic turns? Gee, I'd hate to be around when the dumb kids are driving around.
They'll get 3 years probation and be forced to be laughed at when they go to speak about the dangers of driving fast. They should make them apologize to all the kids in her 2nd grade class after they killed their teacher.
#5
Posted 09 August 2007 - 11:35 PM
They'll get 3 years probation and be forced to be laughed at when they go to speak about the dangers of driving fast. They should make them apologize to all the kids in her 2nd grade class after they killed their teacher.
Wow, Darthy,
We agree on something.
I remember all of the folks who, in the days after the accident, promoted their theories about what happened.
* They couldn't have been going that fast
* The victim shouldn't have pulled out in front of them
* There's no proof that they were racing
* Wait for the facts to come out
Now, we have the kids pleading guilty, but denying they were racing, because there was no starting line and no finish line. They still don't get it.
Steve Heard
Folsom Real Estate Specialist
EXP Realty
BRE#01368503
Owner - MyFolsom.com
916 718 9577
#6
Posted 10 August 2007 - 04:48 AM
But who knows? Perhaps their remourse and guilt is great and they are living their own punishment, everyday.
We could not be doing this without you.
Much love and gratitude.
#7
Posted 10 August 2007 - 06:20 AM
#8
Posted 10 August 2007 - 07:32 AM
#9
Posted 10 August 2007 - 07:32 AM
I know everyone may think that this is not enough however if someone took my life I would want them trying to save others from making the same mistake..jail does not fix mistakes..heck it doesn't fix f#ck ups...being locked up and learning to live the life of a criminal from the pukes that are in the system would be the biggest tragedy of this whole situation...what would they gain from even 3 years of incarceration...nothing but wasting tax payers dollars to harden their hearts to a world that is unforgiving...they made the biggest mistake you can..however let's not compound the situation by giving up on them!!!
#10
Posted 10 August 2007 - 07:55 AM
I know everyone may think that this is not enough however if someone took my life I would want them trying to save others from making the same mistake..jail does not fix mistakes..heck it doesn't fix f#ck ups...being locked up and learning to live the life of a criminal from the pukes that are in the system would be the biggest tragedy of this whole situation...what would they gain from even 3 years of incarceration...nothing but wasting tax payers dollars to harden their hearts to a world that is unforgiving...they made the biggest mistake you can..however let's not compound the situation by giving up on them!!!
Sorry, not enough "punishment" there. Too touchy-feely...you see where that's gotten us, don't you?? Nice try, though.
#11
Posted 10 August 2007 - 08:00 AM
I know everyone may think that this is not enough however if someone took my life I would want them trying to save others from making the same mistake..jail does not fix mistakes..heck it doesn't fix f#ck ups...being locked up and learning to live the life of a criminal from the pukes that are in the system would be the biggest tragedy of this whole situation...what would they gain from even 3 years of incarceration...nothing but wasting tax payers dollars to harden their hearts to a world that is unforgiving...they made the biggest mistake you can..however let's not compound the situation by giving up on them!!!
Do you feel the same about all 'good' kids who commit crimes?
If they have a 'promising' future, set them free, if they don't, lock them up?
Who decides who's future is promising?
What about the future of the victim?
If we set that precedent, every criminal would use the 'promising future' defense.
Steve Heard
Folsom Real Estate Specialist
EXP Realty
BRE#01368503
Owner - MyFolsom.com
916 718 9577
#12
Posted 10 August 2007 - 08:00 AM
Now to the punishment.... I really don't know what to say. If they get probation, they got off with killing someone. I don't know if prison will rehabilitate, but they need to have some punishment. Maybe Mr. McNew has an idea for them. I have a feeling that Mrs. McNew, being a school teacher, would want something else than prison time.
Just my thoughts, thanks for listening.....This was very unfortunate.
#13
Posted 10 August 2007 - 08:15 AM
Now to the punishment.... I really don't know what to say. If they get probation, they got off with killing someone. I don't know if prison will rehabilitate, but they need to have some punishment. Maybe Mr. McNew has an idea for them. I have a feeling that Mrs. McNew, being a school teacher, would want something else than prison time.
Just my thoughts, thanks for listening.....This was very unfortunate.
Excellent post.
#14
Posted 10 August 2007 - 08:20 AM
Now to the punishment.... I really don't know what to say. If they get probation, they got off with killing someone. I don't know if prison will rehabilitate, but they need to have some punishment. Maybe Mr. McNew has an idea for them. I have a feeling that Mrs. McNew, being a school teacher, would want something else than prison time.
Just my thoughts, thanks for listening.....This was very unfortunate.
I remember those comments. So many rushed to the defense of those boys.
As for punishment, it is different from rehabilitation, and we gave up on rehabilitation years ago.
Steve Heard
Folsom Real Estate Specialist
EXP Realty
BRE#01368503
Owner - MyFolsom.com
916 718 9577
#15
Posted 10 August 2007 - 08:30 AM
I understand punishment but 10 years in prison will release them in there late 20's early 30's without an education, without any ADULT skills that they can turn into a profitable career to contribute to the society and under their belt is 10 years of angst against the system and learned ignorance due to the fact that they were subjected to the worst people who truely will never amount to anything...
Obviously it is hard to judge who is going to be a promising person and contribute to a community...but past practice will often times predict the future...
As a young adult I made mistakes..at 20 in the Military I got caught for underage drinking, which I was doing very frequently, almost to the point of it being an issue...I could have had the book thrown at me and spent time in jail..however due to the fact that I was a good person and the judge deemed I was someone whom would not benifit from jail time...he decided in manual labor(picking up garbage and cleaning around the on post bars), an Alcohol outpatient treatment program, confinement to my barracks for 45 days in which I could not go anywhere without letting my supervisor know and could not go off post and an embarassing punishment of placing my face on posters around the post with underage drinking is not allowed...it scared me and made me realize that one little slip up could change my life forever...what if I got in a car and drove?..what if I drank so much that I died....
I was 20, a legal adult and more mature than those 17 year olds...however I made a mistake, which I knew was wrong before hand and peer pressure got the best of me...much like I am sure peer pressure to speed got the best of them...however I am glad I did not recieve jail time and had the punishment I did...it made me realize that drinking is a serious responsibilty that I was obviously not ready for even though I was nearly 21 and now at 25, I barely ever drink...maybe every 2 months or so...and not to the point where I am drunk...just enjoy it responsibly as a legal adult...I think if I was jailed for the offense I may have not learned my lesson...
Different punishments work for different people...What do you feel would be a fitting punishment?
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