Drunk driver gets probation in 2 deaths

[MOFo Reporter]

A 24-year-old drunk driver will serve probation for killing a set of parents and critically injuring their two children.

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[Pollyana]

Discuss!

[Lacey]

I was shocked when I heard the sentence. All I can say is he got very lucky with that jury. Any other jury might not have been so generous. I would be curious to know what the defense lawyer said to sway this jury toward such leniency.

[drillingmonkey]

This town has gotten weak. For this State to have such the reputation of intolerance and such, I guess when crime and wrongdoing is the majority, the majority rules..

[Indy]

Ridiculous!!

[TheGirlNextDoor]

Midland jurors are usually pretty leniant towards drunk drivers. This just proves it that much more to me. I hate the message this sends about how its ok to drive drunk as punishment isn't much. I also feel like those poor little girls have been re-victimized... Its horribly sad.

[westtexasmom]

I can not say I agree..................but God gave this young man a second chance, I pray he makes something of his life now and learns he has to give back twice what he takes now.

Joel..........use this time wisely son and learn and pray for forgiveness and hope that this never comes back to you.......they say what you hand out you get back ten fold.

[nlinecomputers]

Midland jurors are usually pretty leniant towards drunk drivers. This just proves it that much more to me. I hate the message this sends about how its ok to drive drunk as punishment isn't much. I also feel like those poor little girls have been re-victimized... Its horribly sad.

That's because so many of the jurors ARE drunk drivers. Hard to get convictions from a group that has been in almost the same boat.

[westtexasmom]

That's because so many of the jurors ARE drunk drivers. Hard to get convictions from a group that has been in almost the same boat.

You do get a group of your "peers"...................

[westtexasmom]

Anyone remember what his blood alcohol level was? And I hear that testimony was he was not drunk, he has sleep apnea??? So I'm curious what his blood alcohol level was at the time of the crash, it had to be enough to charge him...............

I'm just amazed I guess, Tony gets sent off for 25 yrs and no one was killed. This guy gets probation and 2 people were killed. I'm very confused.................

[t1]

Victims' Families Outraged After Jury Sentences Joel Tavarez to 10 Years Probation
Posted: Mar 12, 2012 7:17 PM CDT Updated: Mar 12, 2012 10:45 PM CDT
by Geena Martinez
NewsWest 9

MIDLAND - Shockwaves in a Midland courtroom Monday night. The man accused of killing two people and injuring their children in a drunk driving crash is sentenced to probation.

Gasps and tears rang through the courtroom as the sentence for Joel Tavarez was read.

Shock doesn't even begin to describe the courtroom as the judge read the punishment.

http://www.kwes.com/story/17141734/v...ears-probation

[TStreetE]

Driving drunk and causing a fender-bender is one thing, but driving blind-ass drunk on the wrong side of the road then killing and maiming others should warrant a long prison sentence.

[jrscholl]

Anyone remember what his blood alcohol level was? And I hear that testimony was he was not drunk, he has sleep apnea??? So I'm curious what his blood alcohol level was at the time of the crash, it had to be enough to charge him...............

I'm just amazed I guess, Tony gets sent off for 25 yrs and no one was killed. This guy gets probation and 2 people were killed. I'm very confused.................

I know someone that was involved in the case and his blood alcohol level was .1

[txb&b]

I keep trying to wrap my head around this and keep failing. Un-freaking-believable!!!

[TheGirlNextDoor]

Anyone remember what his blood alcohol level was? And I hear that testimony was he was not drunk, he has sleep apnea??? So I'm curious what his blood alcohol level was at the time of the crash, it had to be enough to charge him...........................

From what I understood, the sleep apnea wasn't even diagnosed until 2 months ago. Even if he did have sleep apnea, why on earth would he drink and drive on top of the apnea.