Man faces 4 homicide counts in teens' deaths

[citizen]

Guest wrote:

Not for nothing, but the people commenting on the smiling might be incorrect. It could be from his prior DWI booking photo, which would be in keeping with how reckless this guy was, and how little he cared about the danger he was putting other people in.
Make no mistake, this tragedy is caused by one reason, and one reason alone: the politicians don't want to get serious about drunk drivers, the judges aren't serious about it, and the defense attorneys making a living off of DWI, the lowest form of scum ambulance chasing lawyer (and I am a lawyer myself) help perpetuate a broken system.
Personally, if I were a relative, I would find a way to make this guy "pay" for what he had taken from me (and read into that what you will). He doesn't deserve to live.

We need the old west back. An eye for an eye. I say lynch him.

[DITTO]

Remember, most of these judges at one time were defense attorneys representing pond scum like this. They lobby hard for their own kind. Maybe a prerequisite to becoming a judge should be a prosecutorial as well as defense background.

UAMoron wrote:

<quoted text>
The laws are there, they are in place. The people who need to enforce them are the judges. The law makers have made the laws tougher, the police arrest as many as they can. There are two people to hold acountable for DWI deaths.(1) THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE DRUNK.(2) THE SORRY JUDGES WHO REFUSE TO PROSECUTE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAWS. Next election DO NOT ELECT the SAME SORRY JUDGES who allow the bloodshed to continue. These children did not need to die. WAKE UP PEOPLE. WAKE UP JUDGES!!!

[Karen]

My two teenage children (15 & 16) were in a "almost" head on collision driving to school last month - the driver - a neighbor was passed out at the wheel @ 8:00 am - met the kids on a blind corner completely in their lane; totalled both vehicles but thankfully everyone did walk away. She was charged with an aggravated DWI. As of today nothing has been done to her! My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these innoncent teenagers. What a horrible tragedy that should never of happened!!

[Henry]

Concerned person wrote:

Kids were going to the same party that the accused was leaving from. Adults were hosting a party with alcohol at a Ranch in the Eldorado area. Same ranch that accused works at. Some or all of the victims knew him.

You don't know diddly. Scott works off hiway14. You're just stirrin the pot! Back it up or shut it!

[my heart]

breaks for the families of these beautiful children. We are ineffective as a community in combating drunken driving in NM. We need to do something different and innovative and will not just be limited to the adoption of new laws. Surely we can do better.

[Trenayce Bridges]

I didn't know Julian that well but he was a friend when he was living in Virginia and everybody he knew he made them happy he will be missed and we love him. R.I.P Julian we miss you.!.!

[Marti]

the elements wrote:

<quoted text>
That is exactly what I said in an earlier comment. Alcoholism is a disease and it starts from early introduction to drinking alcohol. Currently NM is the highest in the country where 12 and 13 year olds are drinking alcohol and they are drinking to get drunk. Which means that they are having five or more drinks on one occassion. Once they began drinking, it often manifests into alcoholism. This is a severe issue in our state. Higher taxes on alcohol is not the answer as we can all see. It's not working!

That is absolutely right! Alcoholism is the root of the problem. Like I said education and treatment is the solution, not incarceration. People will get out of jail and go party again! This state is being reactive to the problem with the "Superblitzes" and "100 Days and Nights of Summer". Might as well start building more jails and prisons, because they will fill up fast along with clogging the court system, so get prepared to pay more taxes with the reactive solution. We have law makers that are not using problem solving solutions.

[the elements]

Marti wrote:

<quoted text>
That is absolutely right! Alcoholism is the root of the problem. Like I said education and treatment is the solution, not incarceration. People will get out of jail and go party again! This state is being reactive to the problem with the "Superblitzes" and "100 Days and Nights of Summer". Might as well start building more jails and prisons, because they will fill up fast along with clogging the court system, so get prepared to pay more taxes with the reactive solution. We have law makers that are not using problem solving solutions.

Couldn't have said it better!

[Just Tryin to Help]

I see there's no list of judges yet that we are supposed to "throw out". Where do these "drunk loving judges" work? Which courts?

[the elements]

Just Tryin to Help wrote:

I see there's no list of judges yet that we are supposed to "throw out". Where do these "drunk loving judges" work? Which courts?

I think that it would be judges either at Metro Court or District Court.

[fmer505-1951]

the elements wrote:

<quoted text>
That is exactly what I said in an earlier comment. Alcoholism is a disease and it starts from early introduction to drinking alcohol. Currently NM is the highest in the country where 12 and 13 year olds are drinking alcohol and they are drinking to get drunk. Which means that they are having five or more drinks on one occassion. Once they began drinking, it often manifests into alcoholism. This is a severe issue in our state. Higher taxes on alcohol is not the answer as we can all see. It's not working!

What tax on booze? The taxes are higher on cigarettes. There is a problem with alcoholism in NM. Children are drinking at an earlier age than before. The problem lies with recognizing the signs and not brushing it off as a rite of passage. Sending people to jail for DWI is NOT the answer, it does not prevent them from drinking again and again. I agree we do need stricter laws but along with those laws we need treatment centers and courts to work together. It is obvious that DWI laws now do not work, so why not try another approach, maybe then there would not be so many lives lost.

[interesting]

dibb wrote:

the story does not mention the teenage driver was driving on a provisional lic. the law states the teen can drive without an adult in the car but does allow "one" other teen passenger. also they are not allowed to driver after 12 midnight. She had four passengers and was driving after midnight. this girl and her family were breaking the law. If they had adheared to the law these four childern would be alive today. I'm not excusing the drunk driver the scum should be put down like a rabid dog. But all the facts should be known. you can bet his attorney will be bringing this up.

You are SO right...I have gone through this with my teens, have a 16 yo with her provisional...I have put the fear of god into them (I HOPE) about getting into a car with another younger driver, or one who speeds, or goofs off and of course, one who is impaired. Unfortunately, so much of these deaths are because of the OTHER drivers...I can't afford to buy my kids an armoured tank to drive in, but I expect my kids to follow the FUNDAMENTAL basics of the LAW, and the law is VERY clear when it comes to 16 yo drivers. That's gotta make it a lot worse for these parents to have to deal with...those kids just blew off the law, and they have paid the ulimate price...it's just so tragic...

[the elements]

fmer505-1951 wrote:

<quoted text>What tax on booze? The taxes are higher on cigarettes. There is a problem with alcoholism in NM. Children are drinking at an earlier age than before. The problem lies with recognizing the signs and not brushing it off as a rite of passage. Sending people to jail for DWI is NOT the answer, it does not prevent them from drinking again and again. I agree we do need stricter laws but along with those laws we need treatment centers and courts to work together. It is obvious that DWI laws now do not work, so why not try another approach, maybe then there would not be so many lives lost.

Higher taxes is just a figure of speach. Not that it has happend, but our local government is all about money. Not the people! They could care less!

[fmer505-1951]

the elements wrote:

<quoted text>
Higher taxes is just a figure of speach. Not that it has happend, but our local government is all about money. Not the people! They could care less!

True, because the liquor industry is one that does alot of campaign contributions, to both parties. The state even though it says it is anti-DWI makes big bucks everytime somone gets caught. People should be mad, but screaming for more jail time is ineffective, it has proven itself over and over again. We need to implement tougher laws, treatment centers, and the courts to adhere to them.

[the elements]

fmer505-1951 wrote:

<quoted text>True, because the liquor industry is one that does alot of campaign contributions, to both parties. The state even though it says it is anti-DWI makes big bucks everytime somone gets caught. People should be mad, but screaming for more jail time is ineffective, it has proven itself over and over again. We need to implement tougher laws, treatment centers, and the courts to adhere to them.

This is so true. People need to get together on this. What's sad is that many of us New Mexican's come from families where alcoholism is a factor. And has been for many generations. I can certainly say this of my family. But it's time to put a stop to it!

[penny]

It is painfully obvious that laws do not persuade a drunk/drinking person. We need to quit enabling people to drink heavily. Bars should be limited to selling liquor only with food and only two alcoholic drinks. If someone is going to get plastered he needs to be home already. Limit alcohol buying only to grocery stores. People should have to plan their drinking. It's a privilege worth planning for. No one plans to die today. We could at least plan our drinking! It's a good habit and it doesn't cost anything to start immediately. We're planning to fail with the current system of having people drive themselves out to drink at a bar. Dumb.