I don't even know what to say ... - Page 2

DenverChief · 08-22-2006, 05:00 PM

SEATTLE -- King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng filed vehicular homicide and drug charges Friday against a woman accused of killing a Seattle police officer in a car crash.

He said he intended to seek an exceptional sentence because the standard range of 10 to 14 years would not reflect the "outrageous recklessness" of the act.

Mary Jane Rivas, 31 and a six-time felon, was high on cocaine and driving 80 mph in a 30-mph zone Sunday morning when she ran a red light and plowed a sport utility vehicle into a cruiser driven by a 26-year-old rookie Officer Joselito Barber, Maleng said.

A judge has set bail at $1 million.

"His family, his police family and the broader community are devastated by his loss," Maleng said.

Maleng did not specify how long a sentence he intended to seek if Rivas is convicted. But he said he would ask a jury to find aggravating factors that would enable a Superior Court judge to impose a sentence beyond the standard range.

The Seattle Police Department planned a motorcade Monday to honor Barber.
"Lito Barber was exactly the kind of person you want wearing a police uniform," Maleng said.

According to a probable cause statement filed in King County Superior Court, two other police officers witnessed the crash at about 4 a.m. Sunday.
Officers said Rivas appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of her arrest, and drugs were found in her possession. She is charged with possession of cocaine in addition to vehicular homicide.
She was treated at Harborview Medical Center for a broken left leg and broken left foot.

see the video....the car is completely destroyed
http://www.kirotv.com/news/9701261/detail.html#
Video: Crash Leaves Officer Dead

jspchief · 08-22-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Why is raping a 6 year old worse than raping a 36 year old?...

In the eyes of the law, is it?

I know they're probably called something different, but are the punishments different?

But to answer the question, someone who rape is fucked up, someone who has sex with children is fucked up. Someone who does both is too fucked up to be kept on this earth. (IMO)

**Bob Dole** · 08-22-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

She deserves to go to prison for a while, but it disturbs me when the police value another policeman's life more than that of a regular citizen. If the standard sentence is good enough for killing a scoutmaster or an accountant, it should be good enough for killing a police officer.

Exactly.

If the person targets a police officer, it's one thing. But a completely random event like this doesn't warrant special attention.

Eleazar · 08-22-2006, 09:34 PM

I can see killing a cop or another government agent being a stiffer sentence in a situation where they are killed because of that. In this case, it could have been anyone there in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Either way, she should never see the light of day again.

Pitt Gorilla · 08-22-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Why is raping a 6 year old worse than raping a 36 year old?...

I didn't realize that it was. Rape is terrible regardless of the victim.

08-22-2006, 05:00 PM
DenverChief Pedantic Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Rocky Ford Casino cash: $3072617	I don't even know what to say ... SEATTLE -- King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng filed vehicular homicide and drug charges Friday against a woman accused of killing a Seattle police officer in a car crash. He said he intended to seek an exceptional sentence because the standard range of 10 to 14 years would not reflect the "outrageous recklessness" of the act. Mary Jane Rivas, 31 and a six-time felon, was high on cocaine and driving 80 mph in a 30-mph zone Sunday morning when she ran a red light and plowed a sport utility vehicle into a cruiser driven by a 26-year-old rookie Officer Joselito Barber, Maleng said. A judge has set bail at $1 million. "His family, his police family and the broader community are devastated by his loss," Maleng said. Maleng did not specify how long a sentence he intended to seek if Rivas is convicted. But he said he would ask a jury to find aggravating factors that would enable a Superior Court judge to impose a sentence beyond the standard range. The Seattle Police Department planned a motorcade Monday to honor Barber. "Lito Barber was exactly the kind of person you want wearing a police uniform," Maleng said. According to a probable cause statement filed in King County Superior Court, two other police officers witnessed the crash at about 4 a.m. Sunday. Officers said Rivas appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of her arrest, and drugs were found in her possession. She is charged with possession of cocaine in addition to vehicular homicide. She was treated at Harborview Medical Center for a broken left leg and broken left foot. see the video....the car is completely destroyed http://www.kirotv.com/news/9701261/detail.html# Video: Crash Leaves Officer Dead
Posts: 17,051

08-22-2006, 09:34 PM	#18
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I can see killing a cop or another government agent being a stiffer sentence in a situation where they are killed because of that. In this case, it could have been anyone there in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, she should never see the light of day again.
Posts: 80,659