Justice is being done
Ken and I devoted most of our discussion this morning to the Tolly Carr sentence of 25 to 39 months in prison, plus a suspended sentence of 16 to 20 months, a $10,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and five years probation.
Carr's status as a former TV anchorman did not let him escape hard time. Considering that Carr had no previous record, the sentence by Judge John W. Smith hit the target. The legislature clearly intended for people guilty of felony death by motor vehicle to go to prison.
Some may say the punishment should have been more severe. But the law doesn't intend that drunken drivers be charged with second-degree murder. Carr hasn't gotten off easy. He'll carry this for the rest of his life -- and he could spend more time in prison if he violates what surely will be strict terms of probation. Prospects of resuming a TV career may not be very good.
And we can't forget that he also faces a civil suit. After pleading guilty in court yesterday, he has virtually no defense against that.
Nothing can compare to the cost of victim Casey Bokhoven's life. Nothing can erase that tragedy. Nothing can excuse Carr's actions. But would anything be gained by even harsher punishment? It seems to us that justice is being done.
What do you say?